Happy kids at childrens hospital a relief from political bile

By David Young

A visit to the Hospital Del Nino on Thursday, September provided a welcome relief from the political turmoil and acrimony that had riled Panama throughout the week.

While legislators spat bile and rancour, children, many with real problems,  were wreathed in smiles.

At first glance it could have been mistaken for a mini political convention, whistles, horns, masses of rival colored balloons and loud chanting. But here in a packed auditorium it was all about putting a smile on the faces of kids, 

accompanied by parents, doctors, nurses and support staff.

No one wants to be confined to a hospital , but if it has to happen, where better than a center packed with true care-givers working to restore their charges to health, and to help alleviate the pain of separation from home and family and the often difficult steps to recovery.

The auditorium was the scene of the annual celebration of Dental Week, when dentists get together to promote oral hygiene, through schools and clinics, in a country where, according to recent surveys, 92 percent of the population suffer from dental caries.http://www.newsroompanama.com/health/dentists/3299-a-battle-to-change-dental-caries-crisis-in-panama.html

For the kids and staff decked out in “team colors” (Medical ward, ortho ward etc) and waving team balloons, white, green,orange and two shades of blue,  it was  a two hour celebration that encompassed competition and education  through cartoons,  drawing and coloring of pictures with a dental theme.  And  then there were the performances by young patients who sang, danced, and recited, their illnesses forgotten for a while, The applause was deservedly rapturous,  even for those who were partially overcome by  appearing before  a big audience. 

Each team  also put forward challengers for the annual King and Queen for a Day contest, a tough choice for the organizers.

There were no losers.

Those who mounted the stage to join the clown who emceed the event all left clutching gifts, and  at the end of the show there were bonuses for every ward, ranging from TV’s to water coolers and, of course, dental supplies,courtesy of Colgate.

Performers and audience alike benefited from the MC who wowed children and adults with his patter. 

For Dra Sol Torres the hospital’s pediatric dentist and her team of volunteers, it was another win win day – happy patients and one more step towards spreading the message of oral hygene … and not a politician in sight.