RIYADH, 24 March — King Abdul Aziz Medical City has become the first hospital in the Kingdom to set up a crisis intervention team for dealing with cases of child abuse and domestic violence.
This was disclosed to Arab News by Dr. Samiha Al-Haidar, director of Social Services and Patient Education at King Abdul Aziz Medical City, on the occasion of the International Social Service Day.
Hospitals in the Kingdom are marking the occasion by holding seminars and exhibitions on the “Power of Social Work” — the theme of this year’s event.
Dr. Fahad Abduljabbar, executive director of the King Fahd National Guard Hospital, read out his message on the importance of social service. Referring to the new unit for handling victims of child abuse, Dr. Samiha said the problem arises when one of the parents abused in the past hands out the same treatment to their children, who are beaten up or otherwise ill-treated. In such cases, the patient’s family is put through a counseling program.
She added that the crisis intervention team consists of Dr. Samiha as the team leader, a military police psychologist, and other members from the relevant departments.
“The crisis intervention takes place immediately to make sure that the patient receives prompt attention and treatment. Such cases involve abused children and women, as well as suicide attempts,” she observed.
Asked to elaborate on the “Power of Social Work”, the theme of this year’s event, Dr. Samiha said it refers to the power to bring about change in a person’s life through family education.
“We could admit a patient for a social reason and not release him if he is not socially ready to be discharged,” she said.
