In a unique initiative, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated a van which will help children fight boredom in government hospitals.
The van, called ‘stories on wheels’, will carry storybooks, colouring books, crayons, games and toys. It will visit children outpatient departments (OPDs) of various government hospitals in Delhi.
Now, the children can pass their time while waiting for their turn in the OPDs.
“Children have to wait for long hours before being seen by the doctors. In cancer wards they have to wait for the whole day for their turn for chemotherapy. The van aims at helping them pass time without feeling bored," said Rahul Verma, founder and co-director, NGO Uday Foundation which has launched the initiative.
Children will not be required to return the material they take from the van.
The CM said, “Government cannot do these things. It can only help such initiatives.”
For the inaugural day, volunteers from a south Delhi school collected books, crayons and soft toys from their classmates and others. More schools will be asked to donate and contribute for the cause.
“The van will visit associated schools twice a week to collect the donations to be distributed to kids in hospitals,” said Verma. It will be manned by volunteers who will manage the day-to-day running of the van.
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