Dial 998 for Child Care

Minister of Human Rights and Social Development Minister and Acting Minister of Health Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al-Balushi revealed the launching of a new 998 Child Helpline for children for security reasons in the Children Protection Centre.

This is first toll-free helpline to provide direction and guidance to children as well as appropriate options in order to solve their problems and helps to preserve children's rights emanating from the principle of children's right to survival, building and developing.

The helpline receives calls from children in distress or whenever there is imminent danger or from anyone concerned in order to obtain direct intervention and specialist psychiatric guidance, referral, active listening and various other services according to latest scientific studies and recommendations for direct contact between children and intermediaries in order to prevent the onset of any family cracking.

The direct helpline exploits various strategies in order to spread awareness including the media, newspapers, radio, television, public conferencing and special functions such as Children's Days and recreational festivals, etc.