Helping young patients deal with their illness and treatment through art and play was the subject of a recent workshop held by HMC, in collaboration with Qatar Museums Authority and Sheik Eid Charitable Society.
The workshop was led by Italian artist, Marianne Hilman, and focused on how to encourage children to use art and craft to
express themselves.
Physicians, social workers, nurses, children and parents attended the special workshop being described as a creative activity that can help ease the stress of illness and treatment and enables patients to express themselves and what they are going through.
Aisha al-Khulaifi, head, corporate social responsibility, at HMC, said the event was aimed at equipping those who work with younger patients with ways to help children cope with their illness.
“This is an important part of the treatment and recovery process for children and is an innovative way for them to deal with the stress of their illness or condition,” she said.
Al-Khulaifi said that the workshop was the second one facilitated by HMC in the use of art therapy in the recovery process and that the corporation would continue to work with community partners to develop similar events.
HMC children’s programmes co-ordinator Fatima Jassim said there were many similar activities used by clinicians, nurses, social worker and others dealing with sick children, which have become an integral part of their treatment and
recovery.
“This workshop also aimed to establish communication between children, parents and healthcare professionals,” she said, adding: “Long-stay young patients at HMC are provided with a range of activities and entertainment including laptops with Internet access.”
“They also have access to a library with a large assortment of Arabic and other language books,” she added.
Sheik Eid Charitable Society medical unit head Dr Mazin al-Hajiri stressed the importance of recognising the psychological aspect of treating young patients saying: “Children definitely benefit from events and activities like this as they boost morale and aids the recovery process.”