NIARC & ICBF hold webinar on ASD management during Covid

THE NIARC Qatar chapter and the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) jointly organised an online webinar titled ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Home-based management during COVID-19’ recently. The webinar was part of the ‘Azadi a Amrit Mahotsav’, being organised in connection with the 7 th anniversary celebrations of Indian Independence Day.

The chief guest of the event, Dr Alpna Mittal, a public health specialist, inaugurated the webinar. The key-note address was delivered by Dr Soumya, chief medical officer of NIARC, followed by a question and answer session.

Dr Alpana Mittal praised NIARC’s activities in providing a unique service, offering consolation for autism sufferers, regardless of their economic, occupational or income status.

“By choosing a challenging and relevant topic, the NIARC is providing comfort to children with autism and their parents as COVID-19 has changed life situation, which is very admirable,” Dr Alpana said.

“We need to realise that about two million children in India have autism and we should strive to bring them into the mainstream society,” she added.

Dr Soumya made a presentation on ASD and how to handle situations in real life. It was very useful session for parents to help them manage their children with autism. The question and answer session was one of the highlights that helped the participants to clear their doubts.

Thaha Hamza, Niarc Qatar chapter chairman, welcomed the attendees. The vision of NIARC was explained by Ashraf P, NIARC global chairman and MD of Wellcare Group. ICBF president

iad Usman and ICC president PN Babu Rajanspoke on the occasion. Representatives from NIARC’s INDIA, GCC, USA, and U committee representatives attended the webinar.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Shanahas Edodi, general secretary of NIARC Qatar chapter.

The webinar was hosted by Hameed MT and Hanan Ashraf.