Dubai: Emirati children being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital for children in London had a heartwarming surprise when they celebrated Eid Al Fitr with former patients from Dubai through a live video broadcast.
The group of former patients had come together to host an Eid Al Fitr party in Dubai.
The hospital treats children from more than 90 countries for rare, complex and multiple conditions, which includes 1,500 children from the Middle East every year.
Through special events and celebrations, the hospital caters to different cultures and religions at the hospital.
Every year, the hospital hosts an Eid party for patients.
During the video conference, patients, family members and former patients shared what they are most thankful for this year, and shared their own touching messages to one and other. Afterwards, they enjoyed a wide-array of authentic Arabic cuisine and evening entertainment. The event closed with both parties linked up so they could hear prayers, as well as a local London school choir, together.
From the party in Dubai, Zafar Khan, expressed how it was great to have the opportunity to share these moments together and reconnect his daughter with the hospital.
“I wanted to show my daughter, Inaaya, what is now happening at the London hospital so she could remember and recognise the place as it has only been a few months since she was being treated there. It’s been a great opportunity as it’s not easy to re-visit the hospital every time so it was great to connect by video link. I hope these events will continue every year.”
Maha Essid, a mother from the UAE, added how the video link reminded her of the care and compassion she received when her son was treated at the hospital.
“Having the video broadcast with the hospital allowed us to have a link again with it and really made me miss the team there. It reminded me of our time spent in London and the care, understanding and hospitality which we received from all the doctors, nurses and interpreters.”
Trevor Clarke, director of the International and Private Patients Service at the hospital, said, “We consider all our patients, past and present, as part of the family. Every day, we strive to ensure all our patients, from all cultures and all religions, feel at home and part of this family when they are being treated in London. This year, the added video link dimension to our annual Eid Al Fitr party has enabled patients to connect with former patients in the UAE with the hope of making them feel even more at home during their stay here.”
