By Zainab Al Nasseri — MUSCAT: Dec 13: The Oman Child Safety, Security and Health Forum was launched on Tuesday. It was presided over by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan al Tobi, Advisor of the Ministry of Education. It aims at gathering decision-makers to create an assessment index factoring the essential elements on safety, security and health.
Ministers, top officials, school principals, administrators, teachers, nurses, parents and human rights activists were also present. The two-day event is organised by Tafani, Oman’s leading national development agenda-based research and events firm, and Samara Training Services, a renowned health, safety, security, training and consultancy provider. Samara Salah, Director of Training and Business Development from Samara United, said this was the region’s first and only conference dedicated to child safety, security and health. “We plan to hold this as an annual event for five years in an attempt to improve awareness, bring continuous improvement and provide a secure, safe and healthy tomorrow for our most precious assets and the future of Oman.”
“This first child development event will help develop a stronger and healthier youth,” she said, adding “children are vulnerable as they are dependent” on parents, teachers and custodians for proper nutrition, medication, hygiene, education and development (mental, physical).
Sadiq Ahmed Khan, Managing Director of Tafani, said that safety of home is a topic that needs to be deliberated.
Day one focused on safety, security and health at nurseries and schools. Presentations were made on topics such as safety and security at schools and nurseries, accident statistics at schools and common cases. Medical emergency management, preparedness at schools and nurseries, and security issues at schools were discussed.
The other issues discussed included children’s mental health and well-being at school, bullying and harassment, food safety and hygiene, schools’ role in enhancing children’s health standards and promoting healthy lifestyle and nutrition. Child safety and health at home was also discussed. On Wednesday, the forum will look at parenting safety and essential health awareness package to parents and caregivers.
Global and regional experts will shed light on child health and safety initiatives, impact of media on children, safety at nurseries, children’s safety during outdoor activities and excursions, traffic safety for children, food safety, and sexual abuse.
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