Qatar Is To Enhancing Life For Individuals With Disabilities

Qatar Enhances Lives of Those with Disabilities

In Doha, Qatar, the country took part in sponsoring the launch of a collaborative global report by WHO and Unicef titled 'Children with Developmental Delays: From the Margins to the Mainstream,' as well as the 'Digital Health for Children with Developmental Disabilities' initiative project. This event occurred on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Qatar's representation at the report launch was led by Minister of Public Health and Chairperson of the Executive Board of WHO, Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari. Alongside Qatar, WHO, Unicef, and Autism Speaks co-sponsored the report's launch.

During her address, Dr. Al Kuwari emphasized the importance of the global report and reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to collaborating with partners to prioritize the well-being of youth with developmental disabilities. Qatar's efforts in raising awareness about autism were highlighted, including its role in the establishment of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 in 2007 and subsequent efforts in 2014 regarding autism spectrum disorders.

Dr. Al Kuwari also mentioned the Qatar National Autism Plan (2017-2021), which aimed to achieve 44 goals focusing on early diagnosis, quality care, comprehensive health services, and lifelong support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

She stressed the significance of the global report on developmental delays and disabilities, which calls for accelerated efforts to foster change at various levels—individual, family, and community. The report identifies principles and priority areas of action for policies, services, support, and monitoring.

Dr. Al Kuwari praised the report's emphasis on enhancing strategies to monitor progress in health and education outcomes for children with developmental disabilities, underscoring the importance of improved data collection.

In conclusion, Dr. Al Kuwari urged increased action and investment to improve health pathways, quality of care, and inclusive environments for people with developmental disabilities at both the global and local levels.

The report serves as a call to action for the inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in global and national initiatives aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It proposes various actions to promote inclusion and equity in health and underscores the need for prioritizing and investing in programs for these individuals within the health and related sectors.