Often, every challenge turns into a task, and tasks, in turn, become changes. Children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses need such changes more than anyone else — so that treatment becomes more comfortable for them and their parents, as well as for doctors and nurses.
When we were planning the opening of a day care unit in the oncology department, we knew it should not be a sad place. And finally, the long-awaited positive changes have happened, and we can now share this news.
The day care unit at St. Nicholas Children’s Hospital is now open and operating. It was our dream to create a comfortable, convenient, and well-equipped space for children who come to the hospital for one day of treatment.
Here, young patients can receive consultations and treatment, undergo chemotherapy, have tests done, talk to their doctor, and complete everything that can be done within one day. Importantly, this is now safe and comfortable, as the unit includes a specially designed waiting area with toys, coloring books, a game console, and a beautiful view, where children and their parents can wait for procedures.
“During the war, the number of our patients has been steadily increasing, and we no longer have enough inpatient beds for round-the-clock stays. That is why we decided to create a comfortable space for one-day patients — those who do not stay in the hospital all the time but come only for infusions and chemotherapy,” says Dr. Khrystyna Verhun, Head of the Oncology Department.
The day care unit helps reduce the workload of the department by separating patient flows: children who require inpatient treatment and those who come for one day only. No child should have to wait in a corridor.
The unit is divided into two parts. One is a waiting area where children can play while waiting for test results or a doctor’s consultation. It is also a place where parents can talk to doctors and receive guidance.
The second part is where children receive treatment, undergo various procedures, and have tests collected. Each child has a separate, individual space. Next to a comfortable reclining treatment chair for the child, there is also a chair for parents, allowing them to stay close and support their child.
Children come here for treatment and undergo procedures that can be difficult and unpleasant. Everyone wanted the environment around them to create a make children feel cozy and comfortable.
That is why we decided not to paint the walls plain white, but instead decorated them with colorful, cheerful cats that bring joy to children, their parents, and the entire medical staff.
For this wonderful interior design, we sincerely thank the National Forestry University of Ukraine, in particular senior lecturer Oksana Mazur and the students of the Design Department, who helped transform the ordinary walls of the hospital unit into a fairy-tale room filled with joyful cats that bring smiles to children and their parents.
The Evum team and the staff of St. Nicholas Children’s Hospital are deeply grateful to our partners and friends from Germany who supported the implementation of this charitable project. In particular, we thank LandsAid e.V. . and Aktion Deutschland Hilft — without their financial support, this project would not have been possible.
We believe that the new day care unit will help heal as many children as possible, giving joy and smiles to them and their parents.
