On Children's Day, Garki Hospital in Abuja brought smiles to young patients and their families through an event themed 'Small Care, Big Smiles.' The celebration, which coincided with the Sallah holiday, provided a rare moment of joy and relief amidst the challenges of illness and medical treatment.
Event Highlights
The hospital distributed kindness packs to children in paediatric wards and outpatient units, and offered financial support to selected patients in need. The paediatric recreation room was transformed into a lively space with colorful balloons, music, games, and gift packs, offering a temporary escape from anxiety for children undergoing tests, recovering from treatment, or attending appointments.
Miss Joy Adejoh, the hospital's Marketing and Communication Officer, explained that the initiative aimed to ease the emotional and financial pressure many families face. 'Not every child is happy to be here today. Some are going into surgery, some are on standby awaiting treatment, while others have just completed theirs. We simply want to create a joyful environment around them despite their circumstances,' she said.
Parent Testimonials
Parents expressed gratitude for the event. Mrs. Maryam Isah, whose child was being treated for a severe stomach upset, noted that the celebration helped calm and comfort her child, turning a difficult hospital experience into a more manageable one. Madam Hafsat Abubaker shared that her child, initially frightened by injections, brightened up and began dancing after receiving a party gift pack.
Mr. Desmond John praised the hospital and called on the government to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and expand quality health initiatives for vulnerable children and mothers. He emphasized the need to prevent maternal and child deaths caused by poor medical infrastructure.
Support and Sponsors
This year's event was supported by We Share Charity Foundation, Peak Milk, and Airtel Nigeria. The collaboration underscored the importance of community involvement in healthcare.
As Children's Day met the spirit of Sallah at Garki Hospital, the message was clear: in healthcare, small acts of kindness can carry enormous weight, and sometimes, laughter can be medicine too.
