The Hamad International Training Centre and the Child Development Centre at Rumailah Hospital under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) organised the third workshop on child car seat safety for families of children with special needs, providing practical solutions to keep children safe while travelling.
The event was held last month, and organised as part of the Early Intervention Programme of Child Development Centre. Around 30 families attended the workshop.
Fatima Mustafa, Assistant Director of Paediatric Rehabilitation, said the workshop is part of their ongoing efforts to meet the needs of families in Qatar who have children with special needs, to help keep them safe. During the workshop, staff work with families and help them choose the right car seat for their child. Six members of their team received training from the Hamad International Training Centre on the safe installation of child car seats.
Mustafa cautions that car accidents are the leading cause of death in children under the age of 13, underscoring the need to select a car seat that meets the child’s weight, height, and age requirements. She said that according to research, children are safest when secured in rear-facing seats that support their whole back, neck, and head.
Parents who attended the workshop expressed their appreciation to the organisers and said they felt more confident in their ability to make good choices that would protect their children.
The Early Intervention Programme is an outpatient programme that provides early identification and intervention services for infants and toddlers who have or are at risk of developmental delay or disability. For more information, visit the HMC website at hamad.qa.