DOHA: Kulluna for Health and Safety, an initiative of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), has launched the Paediatric Pain Awareness Week to raise awareness about pain assessment and pain management in children.
The campaign has been launched by HMC’s Hamad International Training Center in collaboration with Canada-based Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
Following the Qatar International Pain Conference, this event aims to educate staff, children and families about the importance of recognising and treating pain in infants and children. With the mission to educate people regarding important issues impacting health and safety, Kulluna has created a multi-faceted educational event that will take place throughout the week, highlighting aspects of pain in children
Fun booths will be open for children and families at the City Center and Landmark Mall today from 1 pm to 8 pm, and tomorrow from 12 pm to 8 pm. Children and families will have a chance to play and learn during the activities as well as meet nurses, doctors and child life specialists to talk about child-friendly techniques for reducing painful experiences, both in the healthcare setting and at home.
Kulluna, sponsored by ConocoPhillips, means ‘all of us’. It is a five-year health and safety awareness campaign with the aim of raising levels of public awareness about general health issues, personal safety and lifesaving practices.
Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, chairman of Kulluna, said: “It is crucial that children are always in a safe environment, but if need be, we should be able to recognise and minimise pain within both home and outside settings. Through the launch of the Paediatric Pain Awareness Week, we are attempting to engage the community to come together to learn about how they can create a safe environment for their families.”
Dr Michael Levis, chairman of the paediatric pain working group said: “Part of keeping children safe is reassuring them that if they have pain, they will not needlessly suffer, because we as caregivers have the experience, the tools and the responsibility to treat pain in children and keep them safe from further harm.”
Mariam Al Mutawa, Director of Nursing for HMC/SickKids Partnership project, said: “Children, no matter what age, feel pain and they should be made aware about the importance of communicating any pain to their caregivers. It doesn’t matter how strong a child is, untreated pain can decrease the quality of life and harm health and it is our responsibility to reduce any such stress on their health.”
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