DOHA: Many paediatric patients, including those with chronic illnesses, non-ambulatory patients and those recovering from surgery, recently enjoyed depicting Qatar’s heritage in drawings during an activity as part of Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Art & Healing programme.
The event, in collaboration with University College London - Qatar (UCL Qatar) and Qatar Museums, focused on encouraging paediatric patients to visit HMC’s Play Room in the evening hours, along with family members, creating images of plants and animals found exclusively in Qatar’s landscape.
For children kept in isolation and unable to leave their rooms due to their illnesses, art materials such as drawing boards, sample pictures and colours were provided to them at their bedsides where they were able to enjoy being part of the activity under the supervision of nurses.
The activity, eighth held under the programme, was arranged in the patients’ room to let them feel that even if they are unable to leave the hospital bed, they are important and form an integral part of the community. These events have served as a way to communicate to patients that their input is valuable to HMC as they were being reached at their bedsides.
Fatima Jassim, Occupational Therapist at the Play Room, said: “Although we have activities for paediatric patients throughout the year, this one is particularly enriching for children as it involves not only art but also education. They can see pictures and we tell them what they are looking at.”
The Peninsula
