Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road Organized Sports activity for Children to Raise Awareness on the importance of Physical and Outdoor activities in their Growth and Development post the pandemic

Around 300 children of age category from 7years to 13 years from A.P International School, N.L Dalmia High School, Seven Square Academy, RBK Global, RBK International, Ryan International, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, St. Xavier School, Holy cross convent high along with their parents participated with great fervour.

Mumbai: Child health matters. Keeping that in mind, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road has taken a unique initiative on the occasion of Children’s Day. The Hospital organized outdoor sports activities for children of various schools from the nearby area.

The Wockhardt’ s Children Run in association with Pinkathon aimed to create awareness amongst the parents regarding the importance of physical activities and sports in the development of their children.

Present on the occasion was Dr Ankit Gupta, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, Dr Nitu Mundhra, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Dr Vishal Parmar, Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Girish Bhalerao, Consultant Orthopaedic, Joint Replacement Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist and Dr Jessica Fernandes, Physiotherapist.

“In this Pandemic of digital media explosion; activities of this kind encourages kids to spend their time in outdoor play and adapt a healthy life style.Participation in sports activities is helpful not only for their physical development but also in the emotional and social development” said Dr Nitu Mundhra, Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.

Dr. Girish Bhalerao, Consultant Orthopaedic, Joint Replacement Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist, stated “Children are at a higher risk of injuries when compared to adults. The sudden increase in intensity, duration, frequency of activity, wrong technique, wrong equipment and improper surface used for any activity can lead to fractures, sprains, falls, head injuries, knee pain, shoulder dislocation, ligament tear, back and shoulder pain, and others. Sports injuries can have serious complications in children as they can disrupt their growth, and development sometimes leading to life-long disabilities. These sports injuries can further lead to stress, panic attacks, nightmares, and depression in children. It is essential to promptly address these injuries and improve the quality of life of the child. This event provided a huge platform for children and parents to discuss their concerns, and how to go about the injuries. Timely intervention is key to managing injuries.”

Dr. Jessica Fernandes, said, “Kids love to play games and participate in activities with other children. Sports are necessary for the child’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. However, sports injuries can be self-limiting for children and they can interfere with their ability to carry out the daily chores with ease. Certain sports like cycling, soccer, running, hockey, gymnastics, basketball, cricket, skating, or playground games can cause muscle sprains, strains, concussions, collisions, falls, and other injuries.

She also added, “We received an overwhelming response for the event. The children participated in 300 plus numbers. They were told about fool proof strategies to manage injuries. They were asked to ensure proper hydration and nutrition, avoid strenuous activities without breaks, use appropriate gear while playing a sport, stick to the right form and technique and take immediate help in case of an accident. Also, see to it that the medical facilities are available easily. After treating an injury, rehabilitation and physiotherapy are important for the child. An ice pack, mobilization, bandages, crutches, and resting enough will help to manage an injury.

“Apart from sports injuries, the parents were given some parenting lessons. They were briefed about health problems such as flu, falls, cold, cough, and other common allergies and infections occurring in children. The parents were asked to pay attention to the child’s diet and fitness routine and we also answered queries on how to handle the aggressive behavior of the child. The event concluded with everyone pledging to take good care of their health,” highlighted Dr. Vishal Parmar, Consultant Paediatrician.

“I participated in the run and other activities conducted by Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. It was a super hit event as I was able to run and play with other children. I look forward to more such mind-blowing events by the hospital,” said Tara Sanghvi participant.

“The importance of physical and outdoor activities management and parenting sessions organized by Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road was an eye-opener for us. We were able to know about various sports injuries, their management, and how to encourage children to stay in top shape. The parenting session gave us an opportunity to clear all the misconceptions related to the child’s well-being. I thank Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road from the bottom of my heart for raising awareness in the community by organizing various drives, camps, and initiatives,” concluded a Mrs Shah participant parent.