Coronavirus: gift bags, TV shows for little patients at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital as social worker visits remain cancelled amid pandemic
- Social workers, who used to play an important role in accompanying children in the hospital, have been banned since late January for the coronavirus
- The hospital has prepared 1,000 gift bags for sick children, while toys, books, handicraft materials, and special TV shows are also there for entertainment
A thousand gift bags and various interesting television programmes have been prepared for children suffering from complex and rare diseases, to help them adapt to life in isolation, the hospital said.
Since late January, social workers, who used to play an important role in accompanying children in the hospital, have been banned from visiting the premises after the health authority suspended public visits.
The outbreak highlights the importance of volunteer support to the physical and mental health of the sick children as well as the operation of the hospital
“The outbreak highlights the importance of volunteer support to the physical and mental health of the sick children as well as the operation of the hospital. Amid the pandemic, medical staff are taking great care to comfort the sick children,” said Nicole Teo, ward manager of paediatrics at the hospital.
Social work officer Yvonne Lam at the hospital said before the pandemic, the volunteers, also called “play therapists,” played with the children. But the little patients can no longer enjoy their company.
Children of various ages now receive gift bags, toys, books, handicraft materials, and colourful brochures of infection prevention. The hospital has prepared about 1,000 gift bags, 700 of which have been delivered.
I like watching the television shows about volcanic eruptions and also baking, because I like cooking very much. The programmes are very good
It also offers special television programmes meant for children that are being played an hour a day for five days a week since March 30. Children in specialist clinics and in the wards of oncology, renal disease, paediatrics, and surgery can watch television programmes, such as puppet shows, English and maths classes, music performances, travel shows, and handicraft shows.
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“I like watching the television shows about volcanic eruptions and also baking, because I like cooking very much. The programmes are very good,” said Ga Wai, a young patient.
A survey conducted by the hospital showed that 90 per cent of the children reported they were satisfied with the shows and wanted to watch more.
The hospital, opened in 2018, has yet to operate in its full capacity. About 170 of a total of 468 beds are now available for use.
In March 2020, around 290 inpatients were discharged from various ward of the hospital. Their average length of stay was around eight days.
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