SCHS CELEBRATES WORLD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DAY
On Sunday, October 27, 2019, under the theme “Improving world health and wellbeing” Physical and Occupational Therapy Department, which is an affiliate of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), organized a group of informative activities, medical examinations, and free consultations in collaboration with Friends of Arthritis Patients Association, which is celebrating World Arthritis Day.
Consequently, Mrs. Mona Abdel Karim Al Yafei, Director of SCHS, accompanied by some officials participated in a march in which students with disabilities and their parents walked to raise people’s awareness of the importance of maintaining the health of joints and bones.
Mrs. Mona has confirmed, during the march, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services’ concern in consolidating the relationships of cooperation with local, regional, and international bodies and organizations in order to present the best services to persons with disabilities according to the best international practices.
She said, “The actual work in Physical and Occupational Therapy Center goes back to early eighties of the twentieth century. It started as part of Al Wafa School for Capacity Development. SCHS initially established Early Intervention Center in 1993. The Center began to operate independently at the beginning of September 1999”.
She has pointed out that more than 500 children with disabilities from inside and outside SCHS benefited from center’s services during the last academic year. These services include; regular therapy services, advisory services, therapy guidance, follow-up services, counseling, training and support for caregivers, group motor activity sessions for self-care training, life skills, therapeutic riding, therapeutic swimming and hydrotherapy.
Abdullah Mohammed Al-Hamalawi, a Physiotherapist at the Center, has pointed out that the center marked World Occupational Therapy Day by organizing two initiatives under the theme “We care for your Health” in which parents of children with disabilities benefited from a number of free consultation regarding therapy.
To mark this occasion, the Center also organized an event under the theme "For Your Sake" to raise awareness at the Senior Citizens Care Home in Sharjah. Specialists delivered a lecture about the importance of occupational therapy in addition to organizing a range of recreational activities.
Mr. Abdul Latif Mustafa Al-Qadi, Member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Arthritis Patients Association and Chairman of the Media and Public Relations Committee, has confirmed that the celebration of World Arthritis Day included a number of activities and events in cooperation with many institutions, including Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
A number of institutions specialized in arthritis and osteoporosis participated in the events organized by the association in cooperation with SCHS. Doctors offered free consultations for osteoporosis patients as well as early detection of bone problems for parents and students.