The children at the NICVD were treated to a fun-filled day of games and laughter. PHOTO: PRESS RELEASE
KARACHI: Ward four of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) was filled with the melodious, if chaotic, sound of children singing national songs.
Ahtesham, who is just 11-years-old and has ventricular septal defect, was sitting on his bed, waving a flag. "I am weak, I could not decorate my house this year with banners and flags like my cousins do," he lamented. He was, however, pleased that people were at his hospital to celebrate Independence Day with him. His bed was decorated with banners and a small Pakistani flag was also set on the table near his bed.
These patriotic decorations were not limited to Ahtesham's bed alone; the whole fourth floor of the paediatric ward was decorated with banners and flags. Independence Day merchandise was also distributed among the children and their mothers. Doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff also took part at the event, and celebrated the day with the children. Activities including singing national songs, storytelling and magic shows were also arranged.
ICI Pakistan's public relations manager, Abdul Ghani, said his team wanted to celebrate with the children who are missing out on the Independence Day celebrations. "They feel lonely on special days like this, whether it's Eid, August 14 or September 6," he explained. "The future of Pakistan is our children and it our duty to help them celebrate this day with great passion," he said.
The patients and their mothers who were there to attend to their ailing children seemed happy and excited as the day's celebrations came to an end. "The idea was to make this day special and by making this day special for these children, we have made this year special for us," said Ghani.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2015.
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