Playful Place for Petrified Patients

Mudit had fever and was not feeling well. His temperature was not getting down since last two days. We all got worried. Daddy took an appointment of the pediatrician. Since it was a holiday we all went along with Mudit. In the hospital as we walked towards the doctor’s room, we saw an aquarium with small shiny fishes. A full wall painted of cartoons was also there. In the waiting room, there were many babies and children, waiting for their turn to come. As we reported at the reception, we came to know there were more patients before us in the queue. So we had to wait.

Mudit appeared anxious at the sight of the doctors and nurses. The nurse wanted to check Mudit’s height and weight. He got even more scared and clung on to Mumma. Mighty Mudit became Frighty Mudit! I tried to ease him but it didn’t work. I told him that he will let the nurse take the measurements, the kitties pasted on the machine will start dancing. Since we had time, we decided to take him to the cafeteria.

The café had five small neat and clean tables. Two people with their heads covered and gloves over their hands were serving snacks, fruit juices and cakes. The food seemed healthy and the place was hygienic. We grabbed a good table and ordered idli sambhar- Mudit’s favorite. We also ordered bread pakora and watermelon juice. Mudit relished his food. We all forgot that it was a hospital rather, felt like we were in a restaurant.

After having food and fun, we went to the doctor’s room as it was our turn. We entered the room quietly. In the room, there was one junior doctor also sitting taking notes. We all took a chair, but Mudit sat on mumma’s lap. Mudit was just little apprehensive. Doctor examined Mudit gently and prescribed a medicine. We came out and went home in the car.

          After coming I was wondering, the children who are young and ill, get scared of the hospital sometimes. For such children, people of the hospitals should make a play area. It may have a small slide, a swing, playing blocks and some entertaining stuff like balls and books. A good playful place can pacify the petrified patients.