The UAE Children’s Parliament discussed, during its third session of the first session of the second legislative term, a topic related to children’s mental health submitted by the Health and Social Affairs Committee, in addition to announcing the formation of the Environment and Sustainability Committee in the second parliament session.
Sharjah 24 – WAM:
The UAE Parliament for the Child held its third session of the first session of the second legislative term in Zayed Hall at the headquarters of the Federal National Council 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, Her Excellency Reem bint Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, 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 at the Federal National Council, and a number of officials.
In her opening speech, Mthayel bint Muhammad Al-Suraidi, Speaker of the UAE Parliament for the Child, extended her 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 supporting the rights of the Emirati child, stressing that the most important child’s right is the right to health so that the child can enjoy the exercise of his daily duties with ease. And to consolidate this right, the slogan of the Emirati Child Day for this year bears the “right to health,” adding that the Emirati Parliament for the child seeks, in this special session, to complete the action plan put forward by the Parliament’s committees, and to make maximum efforts to solve the challenges that hinder the march of the Emirati child and his successes.
Al-Suraidi confirmed that Parliament is moving forward on the approach of protecting children’s rights and the process of scientific and cultural empowerment in the outside world, especially the consolidation of the right to participate in decision-making, which is the first step in achieving our goals and plans, wishing all members success.
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 submitted by the Health and Social Affairs Committee, in addition to announcing the formation of the Environment and Sustainability Committee in the second session of the UAE Parliament for the Child.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, a member of the Health and Social Committee, stated during his intervention, during which he reviewed a summary of the committee’s report, that several proposals have been put in 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 subject and how to apply it on the ground, as the directions reached by the committee are to provide health insurance that includes all 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 UAE children, and in implementation of what was stated in Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 of the Child Protection Law “Wadeema Law” concerned with preserving the rights and status of children and highlighting the importance of their security in their environment and society.
Al-Nuaimi stated that the recommendation came to embody the vision of the wise leadership and its efforts in providing comprehensive and adequate health care for Emirati children and its initiatives that it launched over many years targeting this group.
Al-Nuaimi stressed the need to provide a suitable environment for children, including those who suffer from mental disorders, through a guide for everyone on how to communicate and provide a comfortable environment for children with mental disorders, in order to obtain a psychologically safe environment.
Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mazrouei, a member of the Emirati Parliament for the child, affirmed that the child’s mental health is considered a basic 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 be able to access appropriate and complete support. To treat himself from psychological disorders that may cause serious and inevitable damage that determines the child’s fate, behavior and societal role, pointing out that Article (24) of Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 regarding the Child Rights Law “Wademah” provides for the right of the child to enjoy the highest level of health It is attainable and entitled to facilities for the treatment of diseases, health rehabilitation, and access to the best and quality health services.
Rawda bint Abdullah Al Ali, a member of the UAE Parliament for the Child, recommended in her intervention in her capacity as a member of the Health and Social Committee that comprehensive and unified health insurance be introduced for all costs of psychological treatment in all emirates of the country for all ages.
Saud bin Salem Al-Qaidi, a member of the UAE Parliament for the Child, announced the formation of a committee concerned with the environment and sustainability in the second session of the UAE Parliament for the Child, to provide an opportunity for children and adolescents to share their views and the challenges they may face in order 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, the provision of a non-seasonal hotline to serve children’s mental health, and the need for appropriate competencies to receive calls from children who suffer from disorders, as well as Including children of determination, establishing mental health centers for children in all emirates of the country, and finally providing a guide for everyone, such as parents, teachers, and those around children with mental disorders, and providing them with a comfortable environment.
