NST cheers up kids at IJN

JOYFUL DAY: Songs, goodie bags for children spending Raya in hospital

KUALA LUMPUR: CHILDREN at the paediatric ward of the National Heart Institute (IJN) were treated to a special visit by the New Straits Times  yesterday.

The visit brought joy to the children who are mostly unable to go home for Hari Raya.

The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) corporate communication head Wan Abdillah Wan Nawi said the visit was part of its annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and in conjunction with Ramadan.

"NST's visit to the IJN paediatric wad is to give back to the community and spread joy to the children who won't be able to go home for Hari Raya.

"We wanted to put a smile on those patients, especially the children, and brighten their day.

"This is the first time that we are visiting IJN.

"Twenty NST employees volunteered to take part in the programme," he said.

The children were treated to a story-telling session and a clown show, followed by sing-along sessions by the CSR team.

Wan Abdillah said they also distributed 70 goodie bags filled with cookies, dates and toys, to patients and parents in the children's ward.

The goodies were distributed by NSTP group managing editor Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid, NSTP general manager of marketing Putri Shireen Syed Othman, NST executive editor (news) Yushaimi Yahaya and executive editor (special project) Azizi Othman.

IJN senior manager (corporate communications and patient services) Aina Jamil praised the NST, saying that it was a good initiative from the newspaper.

"I am delighted with the presence of the NST staff here today because they had come and visit us.

"They were considerate towards the children in the paediatric ward.

"It is not every day that the patients get to be entertained like this.

"The programme is something to take away the pain the children feel and to help ease a parents's suffering."

National Heart Institute chief operation officer Akmal Arief Fauzi (standing, fifth from left) with the New Straits Times team entertaining patients and parents at the institute’s pediatric ward. Pix by Saddam Yusoff

Read more: NST cheers up kids at IJN - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/nst-cheers-up-kids-at-ijn-1.329967#ixzz2adl5zPjT