Spreading smiles in Jinnah’s paediatrics ward

PHH and Kumak teamed up to spread a bit of joy in the lives of Jinnah Hospital's youngest patients.
Published August 15, 2015
A volunteer, Marzia, from Patients Helping Hands.
A volunteer, Marzia, from Patients Helping Hands.

The national anthem echoed in the vicinity and the air filled with enthusiasm.

Like every year, Patients Helping Hands (PHH) and Kumak had teamed up to spread a bit of joy in the lives of Jinnah Hospital's youngest patients. The festive atmosphere, even if momentary, was seen as a welcome distraction by the parents of the children admitted in the paediatric ward.

PHH, a nonprofit organisation solely run by the students of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, and Kumak, an organisation initiated by Karachi University graduates, come together every year to distribute Independence Day memorabilia and arrange activities for children admitted at the National Institute of Child Health in Jinnah Hospital.

The current president of the PHH, Islam Ahmed said, “We’re not an extremely famous organisation and our efforts have just begin to materialise. We want to show through our work that all the funds we have received have been duly utilised.”

Haya Fatima Iqbal from Kumak expressed the need for more volunteers: “We always welcome fresh ideas that encourage welfare activities. Last year on Eid, we took a group of 150 children from Tauseef Memorial School for Eid shopping. We just want more students on board, as most of the old ones are now employed and busy with their jobs.”

The children at the ward were all smiles as they received their gifts, which included Urdu story books and handmade cards.

Chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad' after the National Anthem.
Chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad' after the National Anthem.
The entrance to Paediatric ward.
The entrance to Paediatric ward.
A general ward in NICH.
A general ward in NICH.
Dressed in Pakistan colours.
Dressed in Pakistan colours.
Green everywhere.
Green everywhere.
One of the patient's mother smiles for a picture.
One of the patient's mother smiles for a picture.
A mother tends to her son who is suffering from Gastroenteritis.
A mother tends to her son who is suffering from Gastroenteritis.
People from Kumak and PHH sing national songs along with the child patients.
People from Kumak and PHH sing national songs along with the child patients.
Painting the flag of Pakistan.
Painting the flag of Pakistan.
A child gets a flag painted on her hand.
A child gets a flag painted on her hand.
One of the organisers distributes goodies.
One of the organisers distributes goodies.
'I'm a biker.'
'I'm a biker.'
This smile is what I'm talking about.
This smile is what I'm talking about.

All photos by author