By Favour Odimegwu
For children receiving treatment at Garki Hospital, Abuja, this year’s Children’s Day was more than a calendar event. Falling within the Sallah season, the celebration brought a rare moment of joy, colour and relief to young patients and their families in the midst of illness, medical procedures and emotional strain.
The hospital’s paediatric recreation room was transformed into a lively, child-friendly space as part of the 2026 Children’s Day initiative themed “Small Care, Big Smiles.” Decorated with colourful balloons and filled with music, games and gift packs, the room offered a temporary escape for children in the ward, those attending appointments and others undergoing tests or recovering from treatment.
For a few hours, the atmosphere shifted from anxiety to excitement.
The initiative, according to the hospital’s Marketing and Communication Officer, Miss Joy Adejoh, was designed not only to mark Children’s Day but also to ease the emotional and financial pressure many families are carrying.
“This year’s Children’s Day celebration was inspired by the need to relieve the financial and emotional stress of parents, as well as to create joyful moments for children,” she said.
But beneath the music and celebration was the reality of why the children were there in the first place.
“Not every child is happy to be here today. Some are going into surgery, some are on standby awaiting treatment, while others have just completed theirs. We simply want to create a joyful environment around them despite their circumstances,” said Adejoh added.
That effort resonated deeply with parents.
Also Read: First Lady celebrates children, unveils AGILE initiative
Mrs Maryam Isah, whose child is being treated for a severe stomach upset, said the celebration helped calm and comfort her child, turning a difficult hospital experience into a more manageable one.
For Madam Hafsat Abubaker, a staff member of Unity Bank Plc, the most memorable moment came when her child — usually frightened by nurses and injections — received a party gift pack. Moments earlier in tears, the child quickly brightened, wiped away the tears and began dancing, much to his mother’s relief.
Another parent, Mr Desmond John praised the hospital for creating a meaningful Children’s Day experience for the young patients. He also used the occasion to call on government to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and expand quality health initiatives to reach more vulnerable children and mothers.
He said the country must do more to stop the loss of pregnant women and children to poor medical infrastructure.
Amid the celebration, there were also signs of determination and hope. One of the young patients, Success Opara Chukwuemeka, was thrilled to receive a gift and spoke excitedly about his dream of becoming a chemical engineer — a reminder that even within hospital walls, children continue to imagine a future beyond illness.
The event was made possible through the efforts of hospital staff, child life specialists and local volunteers, who worked to ensure that every child felt seen, celebrated and supported.
For many families, the day was not just about balloons, music or party packs. It was about finding light in a difficult place.
The management of Garki Hospital said the Children’s Day initiative is an annual hospital-based program organized to celebrate and encourage children receiving care within our paediatric wards and outpatient units.
This year’ event was designed to create a warm and supportive experience for children who spent Children’s Day undergoing treatment, attending medical appointments, carrying out tests, or recovering within the hospital environment.
Apart from distribution of kindness packs to children in the paediatric wards and outpatient units, there were targeted financial support for selected patients in need
The initiative aims to bring comfort, encouragement, and moments of joy to children receiving care while also supporting families going through difficult moments, said Adejoh.
This year’s event was organised with support from We Share Charity Foundation and Airtel Nigeria.
As Children’s Day met the spirit of Sallah at Garki Hospital, the message was clear: in healthcare, small acts of kindness can carry enormous weight — and sometimes, laughter can be medicine too.
Crediblenewsng.com
