The Scientific Symposium of Social Services has launched its activities on the 23rd of March, 2016 with the presence of His Excellency Colonel Eng. Khalid M. Bakulka, Executive Director of Operations in the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs- Jeddah. The symposium which is organized by King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah under the theme “Chronic Diseases and Disorders and their Social, Psychological, Medical Impacts” will last for 2 days and held at the Intercontinental Hotel – Jeddah.
The ceremony was commenced by a recitation from Holy Koran, then on behalf of the social workers, a speech was delivered by Ms. Sulaf Al-Ghamdi, where she explained that this scientific symposium is held towards achieving the social work mission and the continuous quest to raise the capabilities of the specialists. Social Service Department was keen on drafting the objectives of the symposium to be distinct in the monitoring and diagnosis of current social services, as well as supporting its development through the exchange of knowledge and experiences among institutions working in this area.
She also added that social service is of great interest to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that aims to utilize all the capabilities to provide social services that go line in line with physiotherapy.
Mr. Abdulaziz Harazi, Associate Executive Director of Operations MNG-HA – Jeddah and head of the organizing committee delivered a speech in which he stated that this year symposium will focus on the fundamental responsibility: our commitment towards the use of therapeutic techniques in the professional practice of social work, such as using content analysis in the diagnosis and treatment techniques, and evidence based medicine strategies in dealing with certain medical conditions and disorders, and utilizing social work techniques with cases such as gender identity disorder; In addition to dealing with abuse patterns and behavioral therapy as well as providing opportunities for the exchange of experiences between professionals in the fields of social services.
Moreover, Dr. Harazi indicated that during the the symposium’s workshops will cover the development of the social worker’s professional skills in dealing with chronic diseases and the development of an integrated social medical structure in the field of chronic diseases to increase the professional evidence- based knowledge of the social worker.
After that, Dr. Mansour Al Qurashi, Associate Dean of Postgraduate Education and Academic Affairs,KSAU-HS, Jeddah gave a speech in which he pointed out that social services are characterized by the overall outlook, It puts into account all the social, health, psychological and economic factors that interact with each other that affect the individual, family and society one way or another.
Furthermore, His Excellency Colonel Eng. Khalid M. Bakulka, Executive Director of Operations in the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs- Jeddah delivered a speech in which he explained that the foundation of social service goal is the social networking development, through the search of the factors that inhibit this communication such as illness, deprivation, unemployment. He also added that social service has multiple preventive therapeutic and developmental roles; the preventive role depends on finding the strategies and the foundations of correct social behavior among members of the society for the prevention of falling into any malpractice. Whereas the therapeutic role starts with studying the causes of individual and social behavioral problems and find their solutions and developmental role of social service exceeds the role of prevention and treatment to be developed to provide the individual and the community of all means and necessary to be of the highest levels.
Last but least, His Excellency Colonel Eng. Khalid M. Bakulka honored the speakers, participating departments, and the Department of Academic Affairs, in addition, the organizing committee presented Colonel Eng. Khalid M. Bakulka a commemorative plaque for launching this vital event.
It is worth mentioning that this symposium is accredited with 16 CME hours from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS).