The Minister of Health and Prevention of the UAE, in collaboration with the "Make a Wish" Foundation, has launched an initiative of granting wishes of children around the nation who are receiving the medical care in MoHAP’s hospitals, quarantine centre, and home isolations as well. This initiative has been taken by the ministry to support the children who have contracted the COVID-19 disease by relieving their psychological stress and help them to get through the difficult times. In a bid to put smiles on the children's faces and know about their wishes, the ministry held a virtual interaction with the children.

During the interaction, the children shared their wishes for tablets and other electronic gadgets to play educational and interactive games which will help them in improving their cognitive skills. Furthermore, some children expressed their desires to watch useful entertainment programmes.

Responding to the development, families of the children thanked the MoHAP and Make a Wish Foundation for their efforts in spreading happiness among the children. They went on to express their support to the initiative which united communal solidarity and cohesion and reflects humanitarian values of the UAE society by encouraging charity and the perspective of giving

Dr.Kalthoum Al Balushi, Director of the Hospitals Department, stated that the initiative is aimed at enhancing positive attitudes among the children suffering from COVID-19 and to spread happiness around them during the challenging time. Dr Al Balushi added that the efforts are being taken as part of the keenness of the governmental institutions to fulfill the wishes of the children and to motivate them to go through their crisis with ease.

"Such initiatives reflect values of solidarity and synergy in the UAE society," she said.

Adding to her remarks, Make a Wish Foundation CEO Hani Al-Zubaidi hailed the efforts take by the MoHAP to grant wishes of children with COVID-19. He highlighted that the foundation is always prepared to work together with public and private agencies which are eager to realize their social responsibility and to spread joy around the society. He further added that his foundation thrives to rejoice the children with chronic diseases and to bring the feeling of contentment among their families.

WAM