Institute of Child Health

The Institute of Child Health is a research and clinical intervention centre overseen and funded by the Ministry of Health. Its scope of study and action includes research, clinical and laboratory service provision to children and training of professionals working with children. ICH is composed of seven departments. The Department of Mental Health and Social Welfare is a designated national focal point in matters of prevention of and intervention in child abuse and neglect cases and since 1988 operates as the Centre for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. It particularly focuses on epidemiological and social research regarding child abuse and neglect, service provision, child mental health promotion programmes, capacity-building of professionals working with children, as well as on raising public awareness raising and lobbying for reforms in legislation and practice.