Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
CHILDREN in Bahrain found out that hospital is not just somewhere you go when you’re feeling poorly … it’s a perfect place for a check-up and sometimes an amazing destination for a wonderful weekend treat.
Families flocked to American Mission Hospital (AMH) in Manama on Saturday to consult with various pediatricians, dieticians and other experts about the health of their children as part of a new annual initiative.
More than 200 youngsters, including babies, toddlers and teens, turned up for free medical check-ups and guidance from 8am until 2pm at the inaugural Children Wellness Day.
AMH group CEO, Julia Tovey, says after its staggering popularity it will be an annual fixture on the calendar. “This is the first Children Wellness Day ever run in Bahrain and the reason I set it up this year was because I wanted to see if there was a need in the community for people to have the chance to come and have their children’s health checked for free. It proved to be hugely popular. I absolutely intend to run this every year.”
AMH has been providing healthcare for the people of Bahrain for more than a hundred years in a non-profit setting, and is well known for its community activities with teams regularly visiting labour camps and offering other assistance.
“This time I just wanted to do something completely open to the entire community of Bahrain for children of all age groups,” Julia added.
Prices often vary in private hospitals from BD5 to BD30 for general check-ups and Saturday’s free sessions covered all the sought-after specialties. Pediatrics, ophthalmologist, dental specialists, psychologists, audiologists, dieticians and ENT doctors who treat disorders of the head and neck, including the ears, nose, and throat, set up stalls and separated spaces at a hall in the National Evangelical Church close to the AMH’s main hospital in Manama to examine children.
The event was also supported by Wael Pharmacy and Bahrain Pharmacy.
Parents were able to either register for one specific service or have their children tested in all aspects being offered.
Peadiatrician Mohammad Hourani, 38, who has been working with the hospital for six years, said: “Many parents were especially eager to get their children checked over as school has just started.”
They were particularly keen to receive expert advice of how to avoid the spread of bugs and best deal with general infections.
Parents Tawheed Rashid, 40, a commercial manager at flydubai and his wife, Asmat Nazir, 38, brought their son Sheikh Ahmed, who was born at the hospital on National Day in 2015, to check out a cold and cough he was suffering and their son Mohammed Ali, six, for a general examination. Tawheed, who lives in Hoora, said: “It was a great event for everyone and helped put our minds at rest.”
Mum Marie Ann Del Rosario from Saar also brought her children Allyssa, 13, Marie Nathalie, seven, Vanreley, five, and baby Vanalaine to the hospital for consultation. “Having four children can prove expensive, so, yes, an event like this helps a lot. It was a great experience for the children and much appreciated by me.”
While some children were being examined, others enjoyed playing on a bouncy castle, getting their faces painted and collecting gifts including colouring books, crayons and markers, as well as educational posters, from volunteers from the US Navy.
“We didn’t want children to feel as though they were just coming to see a doctor so we were determined to create a fun atmosphere too,” added Julia.
US Navy’s Ashley Nolen, 28, said the volunteers had as much fun as the kids and were all impressed by the ‘wonderful turn out’ and the children’s enthusiasm.
Bahrain is home to the US Fifth Fleet and its servicemen and women enjoy playing their part in community activities while stationed here.
AMH, as reported in GulfWeekly, has been recognised as ‘one of the best’ regional hospitals by the International Socrates Committee. The Reformed Church in America co-owns the enterprise, which runs under a government ministry.
As well as the main hospital in Manama, earlier this year AMH unveiled a new clinic in Riffa which features state-of-the-art sports and rehabilitation facilities alongside its extensive range of medical services … with plans for further expansion revealed. The outpatient care centre, was AMH’s third such medical facility. The others are located in Saar and Amwaj Island.
