KARACHI, Feb 6: The Civil Hospital - Karachi is fast being developed into a model for relevant and timely treatment as well as rehabilitation of children exposed to abuse.
A team of doctors associated with the paediatrics department of the Civil and Lyari general hospitals, under the leadership of Associate Prof Ayesha Mehnaz and patronage of Prof D.S. Akram, has embarked upon a programme for training doctors and paramedical staff belonging to both the private and public sectors.
Prof Ayesha Mehnaz told APP on Tuesday that doctors, nurses and paramedics from different departments of the CHK and the LGH, particularly those serving at the emergency departments, had been taught the required skills for appropriate diagnoses of children suspected to be physically abused.
The paediatrician said that the doctors and other stakeholders, including psychologists, psychiatrists, medical professionals and activists, should ensure that besides medical support the victims were given assistance needed for their rehabilitation.
To streamline these efforts, CHK and the LGH has already constituted the Child Protection Society comprising doctors and psychiatrists to ensure that no suspected case of child abuse is missed or overlooked.
“The foremost task has been and continues to be proper and timely diagnosis followed by urgent medical intervention for suspected kids being brought to hospitals or clinics,” she said.
According to her, in most of the instances parents or caretakers claimed that the children had met with an accident. But proper medical assessment could help identify the actual problem and help protect the victim against similar experience.
The lack of sensitisation as well as inadequate diagnostic skills largely left these cases unattended and it is only in severe cases that cases are referred to the paediatrics department and looked into by senior professionals reveal the factual situation.
Under the given situation, like-minded paediatricians have also developed a group called `Konpal’ which has not only developed training modules for medical professionals but also for paramedics and teachers.
A series of workshops has been conducted at the Civil Hospital -- Karachi and the Lyari General Hospital to help the group develop master trainers.
Fortunately, professionals associated with private hospitals have also joined the group and workshops are held at the paediatrics department of the Liaquat National Hospital, also attended by nurses from the Aga Khan Hospital and other facilities.
`Konpal’ is engaged in efforts to hold workshops in schools besides involving family physicians in their efforts for the protection and safe mental as well as physical growth of children.—APP
