Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at a programme held at its Community-based Rehabilitation Compound in Muaither.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a UN-sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with a disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.
HMC Medical Rehabilitation head and Rehabilitation Compound medical director Dr Wafaa al-Yazeedi said the theme for this year was “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an Inclusive Society and Development for All”.
“The event aims at raising public awareness about the rights of people with a disability to remove obstacles that can impede their integration into society,” the official said.
Rumailah Hospital assistant executive director and Rehabilitation Compound administrative director Osama Abdul Hadi said the facility, which is a safe, restorative and home-like environment, provides rehabilitation and healthcare services to some 65 men with disabilities.
Patients, their families and community members participated in the event, including Al Hiba Charity team from Qatar Centre for Voluntary Activities, Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Academy Al Khor and Omama bint Hamza Primary School for Girls.
“One of the great advantages of this compound is that it takes people with permanent disabilities away from the hospital environment to an environment that makes them feel at home. This considerably helps to improve their psychological condition,” Al Hiba Charity team chairperson Sheikha Lina bint Nasser bin Khalid al-Thani said while expressing hope that a similar facility would be developed for female adults and children with disabilities.
Croatian Ambassador Tomislav Bosnjak, who attended the event, said that the observance of the day was important to raise public awareness that disability does not necessarily mean isolation or seclusion.