When Spiderman visited a Dubai hospital

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When Spiderman visited a Dubai hospital
Spiderman, Catwoman ... all superheroes at Dubai Hospital

Dubai - Teddy Bear Hospital initiative helps hospitalised children overcome fear of doctors

by

Asma Ali Zain

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Published: Fri 20 May 2016, 6:35 PM

The little patient pulled the bed covers over his head as soon as he saw the doctor in a white coat enter his room at Dubai Hospital.
It was only when the Spiderman and Catwoman accompanying the doctor called out and said hello, that a smiling face shyly emerged from the sheets.
Bringing a smile to hospitalised children's faces by reforming the frightening image of doctors is what these superheroes from the Emirates Medical Student Society (EMSS) do other than studying hard to become doctors.
The initiative - the first of its kind in the UAE - is called the Teddy Bear Hospital and is part of an international project that helps hospitalised children overcome their fear of hospitals and doctors in white coats. It also aims at promoting healthy living and helping children overcome childhood anxieties.
The project is being carried out across UAE hospitals in collaboration with Dubai Superheroes.
The project was launched recently by medical students from four different colleges around the country. The students have already visited pediatric wards in Al Qasimi Hospital in Sharjah and Dubai Hospital and have plans to visit other hospitals, as well.
At least 100 medical students worked to bring a smile on the faces of sick children. "We thought it would be best to visit the kids dressed up as their favourite super hero characters, and it worked," explains Madiha Farooq, National Public Health Officer at EMSS.
"In one touching case, a child was engrossed in watching his favourite super movie Spiderman when one of the Dubai Superheroes entered his room dressed up as Spiderman ... the happiness and expressions on the child's face were priceless," says Madiha.
The group also distributes gifts and chats with the children to ease their fears.
"Such projects also help us medical students gain hands-on experience which is not possible until we become full-fledged medical professionals," she explains.
Madiha also explained that medical outcomes were also better if children were at ease.
"Children respond better to treatment when doctors win their trust," she explains.
The EMSS is a non-profit student organisation which constitutes the four medical schools of the UAE including University of Sharjah, Gulf Medical University, Ras Al Khaimah Medical University and Dubai Medical College.
The organisation is part of the International Federation of Medical Students' Association (IFMSA), an association that is officially recognised by World Health Organisation and the United Nations.
One of the sub-committees under EMSS is the Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH) which works to ensure a healthy society of complete physical, mental and social well-being.
"SCOPHeroes (as we lovingly like to call ourselves) believe that preventive medicine is better than curative, and hence we've been working on health education and health promotion, spreading awareness on the prevailing health issues of our community, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Vitamin D deficiency, childhood obesity and many more," says Madiha.
SCOP's Facebook also shows a video project that aims to change the negative image people have about their bodies. "People with negative body image have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder and are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and obsessions with weight loss," shows the video.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com


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