New agreement to cement protection for women, kids
Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, to promote partnership and facilitate co-operation means between both parties.
The MoU was signed by QFSW CEO Amal Abdullatif al-Mannai and Sidra Medicine CEO Peter Morris. The signing ceremony was attended by a number of officials from both parties.
The MoU aims to promote national efforts in child and woman protection in addition to develop and highlight the role of civil society organisations that work under the umbrella of QFSW.
Both parties also opened an office for the Protection and Rehabilitation centre, Aman, in the emergency building of Sidra Medicine, in aim to facilitate the transfer of some cases between the two parties and to introduce the services the centre offers.
Al-Mannai said the co-operation reflects the keenness of QFSW and Sidra Medicine and commitment to carry out its obligations towards supporting and providing the required services to achieve the entities’ vision of serving and caring for children and women.
She added that the foundation seeks to activate the partnership with different entities in the country.
She also highlighted that Aman’s office in Sidra Medicine supports the efforts of QFSW with regards to achieving its goals and expanding its services.
Al-Mannai also confirmed QFSW’s keenness to support and promote the civil society organisations under its umbrella and develop and activate their community roles.
This MoU comes part of QFSW’s belief in achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030 and its different pillars to build a future Qatar capable of achieving wellbeing, stability and sustainable development for all segments of society and in support of the effective partnership between the sectors in the country and civil society organisations, alMannai said.
She added that the civil society is a main partner in comprehensive development as well as the government and private sector.
This is reflected in a partnership that stems from a systematic vision in developmental and social work, she said.
For his part, Peter Morris said the partnership with Aman will help in promoting the various support services provided by Sidra Medicine to the patients.
He added this partnership with Aman shows the strong and continuous co-operation with the partners in the government sector which aim to provide required resources and build a network for needed sup- port to help children and families.
Sidra has a team within the child rights programme that includes child care experts from a variety of disciplines including medicine, nursing, social care, child life and psychosocial services, all of whom specialise in the rehabilitation of children and their families.
The team has training on how to detect symptoms of child abuse including psychological harm and neglect.
The team was also trained on how to report cases of ill-treatment and how to handle the legal procedures.
Sidra Medicine’s Department of Emergency chair Dr Khalid al-Ansari said the team handles the responsibility of defending the rights of children and providing the services they need to maintain their health and safety.
This includes facilitating the communication between those in need of support and Aman which will in turn contribute to social services, accommodation, home visits and educational services that will protect children and strengthen the family fabric and community cohesion.
Aman Center executive director Mansour al-Saadi said the office in Sidra is the third one offering support in the health sector as there is a branch in the Women’s Hospital and another in Al Wakra Hospital, in addition to one in the Public Prosecution building and capital security department.