Sana'a: The "Ibni" Center for Autism and the Bonyan Developmental Foundation launched today a campaign for diagnosis and awareness of autism spectrum disorder under the slogan "Awareness and Celebration," in coordination with the Ministries of Health and Environment, and Education and Scientific Research.
According to Yemen News Agency, the Director General of the National Center for Health and Population Education and Information, Dr. Yousuf Al-Hadhari, praised the informal health awareness initiatives that coincide with the Eid days in the parks of the capital Sana'a. He emphasized the importance of these field activities, which include the deployment of more than ten awareness points in various parks.
Dr. Al-Hadhari explained that these campaigns focus primarily on building bridges of direct communication with children, understanding their needs and health and psychological conditions up close. He called on families to pay double attention to "autism disorder" to ensure early detection and proper handling.
Al-Hadhari stressed the modern approach to facing diseases, affirming that if awareness rises in any society, the morbidity rate will decrease by more than 70-80%. He noted that most diseases and disorders, including autism, cannot be faced with medication alone, but with community awareness. He renewed the ministry's commitment to providing all necessary facilities and support for similar initiatives.
Mohammed Mutahar, the Public Relations Director of the Bonyan Foundation, affirmed that the campaign aims to raise community awareness about the autism spectrum and its symptoms. The campaign seeks to deliver this awareness message to the largest possible segment of citizens to address the absence or weakness of awareness about this disorder. He pointed out that the field campaign seeks to achieve early detection of affected children and guide them to the correct path.
Mutahar explained that the campaign relies heavily on the voluntary efforts of university students who have been trained and qualified in the fields of awareness, diagnosis, and assessment. He indicated that the campaign is one of the main outcomes of the medical camp implemented during the past period in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. He expressed his thanks to the Ministries of Health and Environment, and Education and Scientific Research, which directed universities to cooperate, as well as to all volunteer students and participating academic leaders.
In turn, the Director of the "Ibni" Center for Autism, Samir Al-Barawi, explained that the campaign targets five main parks in the Capital Secretariat: Al-Sabaeen, Al-Thawra, Al-Haywan, Fun City, and Al-Wehda. The campaign lasts for three days, from the fifth to the seventh days of the blessed Eid al-Adha, starting from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Al-Barawi stated that the field team includes an elite group of university students specializing in human medicine, nursing, psychology, and sociology. These students have been specially trained and qualified for field deployment, meeting with families, distributing educational brochures, providing free consultations, and initial diagnosis of detected cases.
Al-Barawi pointed out that this humanitarian and awareness initiative is supported by the Public Telecommunications Corporation, Yemen Mobile Company, and "Gaib" Company, in cooperation with a number of universities and developmental foundations.