Haya Rashid Al Noaimi.
The Child Development Center at Rumailah Hospital (RH), part of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), is playing a significant role in the care and development of children with Down Syndrome through its early intervention rehabilitation programme.
A number of specialists at the Center advise families on the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation in helping children with the condition to thrive. It is this early intervention that has allowed five-year-old Haya Rashid Al Noaimi to enjoy her childhood and start school.
Khloud Al Ajmy, Haya's mother, said: "I came to know that my daughter had Down Syndrome immediately after her birth. I took leave from my job and started the rehabilitation journey with Haya to try and help her lead a normal life with her peers. When she was four, Haya was referred to the Child Development Center to increase the level of her rehabilitation and development. I started follow-up visits to the Center three times a week. She received an integrated therapy programme (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and special education) provided by experts who offered her specialist care. At the same time, I was also researching and reading books to help us learn more together.”
Marwan Abo Dawwas, a Special Education Specialist with the early intervention programme at the Child Development Center says Haya's progress highlights the importance of early intervention: “She feels and is aware of her surroundings just like other children. She joins her peers in playing and behaves normally with her family members. With early intervention and continuous rehabilitation, her condition saw a speedy improvement.
