The UAE Children’s Parliament debated a topic related to children’s mental health presented by the Committee on Health and Social Affairs during its third session of the first session of the second legislature, as well as announcing the formation of the Committee for the environment and sustainability in the second parliamentary session.
Sharjah 24 – WAM:
The UAE Children’s Parliament held its third session of the first session of the second legislature in Zayed Hall at the Federal National Council headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The session was attended by His Excellency Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Community Protection, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, His Excellency Reem bint Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Maternity and His Excellency Dr. Omar Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Federal National Council, and His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs His Excellency Afraa Al-Basti, Assistant Secretary General for Parliamentary communication to the Federal National Council and a number of officials.
In his opening speech, Mthayel bint Muhammad Al-Suraidi, Speaker of the UAE Parliament for Children, extended his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Community Protection , for his efforts and tireless work in upholding the rights of the Emirati child, emphasizing that the most important right of the child is the right to health, so that the child can enjoy the performance of his daily duties with ease. And to consolidate this right, the slogan of the Emirates Child Day for this year bears the “right to health”, adding that the Emirates Parliament for the child seeks, in this special session, to complete the action plan presented by the committees parliamentarians and to make the utmost effort to solve the challenges that hinder the progress of the Emirati child and its successes.
Al-Suraidi confirmed that the Parliament is carrying forward the approach to the protection of children’s rights and the process of scientific and cultural emancipation in the outside world, especially the consolidation of the right to participate in the decision-making process, which is the first step for achieve our goals and plans, wishing success to all members.
Khalid bin Ahmed Al Otaiba discussed the agenda items, ratified the minutes of the previous session and discussed a topic related to children’s mental health presented by the Health and Social Affairs Committee, as well as announcing the formation of the Environment and Sustainability Committee in the second session of UAE Parliament for Children.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, a member of the Health and Social Care Committee, said during his speech, during which he reviewed a summary of the committee’s report, that several proposals have been put into place to serve children in the country , the most important of which is the issue of children’s mental health.
The committee discussed the importance of the topic and how to apply it in the field, as the indications reached by the committee are to provide health insurance that includes all the costs of psychological treatments for children in all emirates of the country, in addition to the existence of an effective hotline for children’s mental health.
He added that these discussions are in the service of all children of the UAE and in implementation of what is stated in Federal Law No. emphasizing the importance of their safety in their environment and in society.
Al-Nuaimi said the recommendation has come to embody the vision of the wise leadership and its efforts in providing comprehensive and adequate healthcare to Emirati children and its initiatives it has launched over many years targeting this group.
Al-Nuaimi stressed the need to provide a suitable environment for children, including those suffering from mental disorders, through guidance for everyone on how to communicate and provide a comfortable environment for children with mental disorders, in order to achieve a psychologically safe environment .
Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Member of the Emirates Parliament for the Child, said that the mental health of the child is considered a fundamental and legitimate right and is in line with the program launched by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection to develop mental health services for children. Therefore, we aspire to facilitate all means and for the Emirati child to have access to adequate and comprehensive support. To cure oneself from psychological disorders that can cause serious and unavoidable damages that determine the fate, behavior and social role of the child, underlining that the article (24) of the federal law n. (3) of 2016 concerning the “Wademah” Child Rights Act provides for the right of the child to enjoy the highest possible level of health and has the right to facilities for the treatment of diseases, medical rehabilitation and access to the best health services and quality.
Rawda bint Abdullah Al Ali, Member of Parliament for UAE Children, recommended in his speech as a member of the Health and Social Committee to introduce comprehensive and unified health insurance for all costs of psychological treatment in all emirates of the country for all ages.
UAE Children’s Parliament Member Saud bin Salem Al-Qaidi announced the formation of a committee concerned with environment and sustainability in the second session of the UAE Children’s Parliament, to offer a ‘opportunity for children and adolescents to share their views and the challenges they may face to discuss them with state officials and decision makers to preserve future generations and live in a safe and sustainable environment.
At the end of the session, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi recited the recommendations of the Health and Social Committee, namely the unification of health insurance for all children in the country and includes the costs of psychological treatment, provision of a non-seasonal hotline to serve children’s mental health and the need for appropriate skills to receive calls from children suffering from disorders as well as include determined children, set up children’s mental health centers in all emirates of the country and finally provide guidance for all, such as parents, teachers and those around children with mental disorders, and providing them with a comfortable environment.
