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HMC Forum Focuses on Treatment of ADHD in Children

Doha, 11 February: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is fully curable with proper medication and behavioral therapy and it is found that 50% of all children are drug independent after treatment, claimed experts at the 2^nd Qatar Conference on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which was held at Hamad Medical Corporation ( HMC ).

According to medical experts' early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to the well being of children with ADHD.

In this regard the HMC meet highlighted the important role parents and teachers can play in identifying if the child is suffering from ADHD. Doctors called on parents to approach qualified psychologists for proper assessment of children.

"Once a child is known to have ADHD, we can then find out their strengths and weakness. Then we need to encourage the child's positive qualities to deal with the social and academic challenges arising out of this disorder," Dr. Mahmoud Fawzi Othmnan, Consultant Paediatric
Neurology at HMC said.

ADHD, which is a psychiatric disorder, affects between five and nine percent of all children worldwide. Some of the behavioral traits associated with ADHD include impulsivity, aggressive behavior and low attention span in students.

It starts appearing in children before the age of six years and affects their academic achievements and social behavior in school and at home.

"This disorder if not treated early can lead to high level of school drop outs among children. It is also found that children with ADHD are highly suspect to substance abuse and smoking," Dr. Mahmoud added.

He further stated that towards this effort HMC has over the years worked with school teachers, parents and psychologists to offer ADHD support groups to help children.

Qatar is also among the few nations which has worked towards setting up of school guidance clinics. Here the psychologists offer their service regularly to ADHD children in school for a better and brighter academic future for the young generation.

The ADHD conference at HMC this year also focused on updating the scientific knowledge of physicians and psychologists about this disorder. It also gave a chance for over 200 participants to share their experiences and learn more about clinical problem solving and management of ADHD patients.

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About HMC :
Hamad Medical Corporation is the premier non-profit healthcare provider in Qatar. It was established by Emiri decree in 1979 and manages eight highly specialized hospitals, namely, Hamad General Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Women's Hospital, Al Amal Hospital, Heart Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, The Cuban Hospital and Al Khor Hospital. Since its establishment, HMC has rapidly developed medical facilities capable of providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of diseases that previously could only be managed in overseas medical centers.

HMC prides itself in providing quality and cost-efficient healthcare for all patients regardless of nationality, in line with the State of Qatar's pledge of "Health for All". For this purpose, the Corporation implements a policy of continuous improvement of all management systems and patient care protocols. HMC 's ethos is based on three key pillars which are Health, Education and Research.

For more information about HMC please visit www.hmc.org.qa.

For more information about this article, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Hamad Medical Corporation
Tel. No.: +974 4439 5241
Fax No.: +974 4439 5249

© Press Release 2012