New play area at Khayelitsha Hospital: A haven for kids and families

• Friends of KDH, a non-profit, unveiled a new therapeutic play area at Khayelitsha District Hospital to support children’s physical, emotional and cognitive development while visiting the hospital.
• Doctors and stakeholders collaborated, raising funds over a year to build the facility, which was completed in three weeks.
• The facility provides a safe space for children to play and for caregivers to bond.

Scores of people gathered at the Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH) for the opening of the therapeutic playing ground for children on Tuesday 10 December. The event was organised by the Friends of KDH and other stakeholders.

Friends of KDH is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that offers additional care and support to patients and staff at KDH.

The founder and chair of Friends of KDH Kate Christie-Wade described the playing ground as a first of its kind. She said they realised a need to build the facility like at other hospitals in the province.

Christie-Wade, who is the former midwife trainer at the hospital, stated that the facility was built for parents and children who are at the hospital.

Some of the playing equipment for children on the playing ground

“We saw an opportunity to start an NGO in the hospital and we support anything that will improve patient’s care and the development of the staff. We did a lot of projects in the hospital. We converted the storeroom into a counselling room for families. In the labour ward we have a room where all the mothers who lost their babies during birth are given space. Today we are celebrating the opening of the play area where the babies can play while they are waiting to be seen by the doctors,” she said, adding that many of the doctors at the hospital raised money to build the facility.

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Christie-Wade said it took them a year to raise money for the construction of the facility and nearly three weeks to build.

Dr Natasha O’Connell, head of paediatrics at KDH, said the park will contribute to cognitive and physical development also to social and emotional well being of the children. She added that every child has the right to play.

O’Connell said it is also an opportunity for adults, parents, caregivers to engage and create bonds with their children.

“As health care workers we need to advocate for the children to play. In the societies we are living in today, there’re a lot of obstacles that hinder the children to happily express themselves because of lack of safe spaces or environment to play,” said O’Connell.

A new play ground for children is opened at KDH. The play ground was build by the Friends of KDH for children to play while they are waiting to see the doctor.

Acting Chief Executive Officer and Director for Khayelitsha East and Sub-Structure James Kruger said the purpose of the field is to create a therapeutic space for children and their mothers.

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He described the Friends of KDH as “strategic partners” to communicate with other business partners and see how they can collaborate and create therapeutic spaces within the hospital.

Ward 97 Councillor Mthwalo Mkutswana praised the Friends of KDH for doing a great job. He said the ground will assist the children to be able to express themselves without being disturbed.

“This is a good initiative and we support it. The playing field will give another dimension of the hospital. It is good for children so that they won’t be depressed or worried now that they are in hospital,” said Mkutswana.