Nationwide chain of marital counselling centres proposed

Sharjah's First Family Meeting concluded here yesterday with a recommendation to set up marriage counselling centres nationwide to tackle marital problems.

The meeting, held from May 12 to 14 under the slogan "Towards An Ideal Family", highlighted problems faced by national families and ways to enhance family stability and well-being.

It stressed the need for counsellors to tackle disputes between married couples. These counselling centres would also spread awareness of the hereditary illnesses caused by marriage between close kin and the need for premarital medical checks.

The meeting emphasised the need to instil proper beliefs about marriage in young men and women through the media and social awareness campaigns. It was recommended that family sciences and social counselling be included in the university curriculum.

Other recommendations included encouraging UAE nationals to join the health profession, especially nursing, and motivating students to engage in voluntary work in the summer holidays. More attention should be given to raising public awareness about people with special needs, as well as orphans and the elderly, to help integrate them in society.