Leading medical experts discussed different mental disorders that effects children at the fourth International Child and Family Behavioral Health Conference held in Abu Dhabi recently.

Over 1,000 healthcare professionals took part in the seminar which discussed mental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorders, dysmorphic disorders, autism, and other mental and behavioral disorders.

Dr Fareeha Amber Sadiq, the lead consultant psychiatrist for children and adolescents at Camali Clinic in Dubai, said: "Around one in five children in the world experience significant mental health or emotional issues as per World Health Organization, and half of mental disorders in adulthood begin before the age of fourteen."

"We see an important role for early intervention, improving quality of life and supporting young people’s emotional development," said the expert at the leading Dubai-based child and adolescent mental health service.

In her address, Dr Haneen Jarrar, child psychologist at Camali Clinic in Dubai, introduced the attendants to their newly launched program, School Readiness, as a unique model that aims to bridge the gap between home schooling and mainstream schools for children with special needs.

“Official government figures estimate that 1 in 68 children in United States will be affected with autism in 2016 (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2015). It is estimated that around 40 per cent would require specialized education services. Figures in the Middle East are almost similar. More healthcare facilities and supporting programs such as our School Readiness program should be considered,” she stated.

At the conference, Camali Clinic Dubai and United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), a leading privately owned healthcare development and investment company in Abu Dhabi, signed an official co-operation agreement to jointly deliver child and adolescent mental health services in the emirate.

UEMedical owns the new flagship Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children, and HealthPlus chain of medical centers across Abu Dhabi.

Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa, the chief executive and managing director of UEMedical and chairman of HealthPlus, said: "Our collaboration comes in line with the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi’s strategy to fulfilling a gap in the delivery of children mental health services in Abu Dhabi and increase access to high quality services."

"It represents another step for UEMedical in the realization of the UAE leaders’ vision to provide the people of UAE with the highest standards of healthcare facilities," he noted.

Majd Abu Zant, the chief executive of HealthPlus, said: "By the second quarter of 2016, Camali Clinic will be providing mental health services for children with emotional, behavioral or learning difficulties at our recently launched HealthPlus Children’s Specialty Center in Abu Dhabi."

"With this significant agreement, a psychiatrist led team of highly qualified clinicians from Camali Clinic will be leading the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Department in our centre offering clinical services best suited for our population that would be consistent with the high standards, procedures and outstanding outcomes for which both organizations are reputed for,” added Zant.-TradeArabia News Service