Sick children who were unable to attend the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix were still able to interact with drivers, teams and Formula One executives ... from their hospital wards and beds.
A virtual meetup was organised by the Royal Medical Services (RMS) and the King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) Bahrain Oncology Centre in co-ordination with the children’s families and the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
The children were able to talk to the teams and drivers using video communication through an automated robotic device, which also gave them the opportunity to tour the circuit virtually and watch the race.
“We didn’t want our young patients to miss out,” said RMS Commander Brigadier General Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
“The hospital was keen to co-operate with the BIC in order to spread a little joy and happiness to sick children as well as enhance their mental wellbeing.”
The partnership blossomed throughout the race weekend with RMS technical assistant to the commander and acting director Brigadier General Dr Mohammed Ahmed receiving Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali at the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital in Riffa.
Brig Gen Dr Ahmed expressed his sincere gratitude towards Mr Domenicali for his ‘noble and humanitarian initiative’ after he visited young patients on the wards.
Father-of-two Mr Domenicali chatted to the children, shared news about the sport’s stars and said he was impressed by the level of co-ordination and partnership between the government and the private sector in supporting and caring for patients.
Also in attendance during the visit were RMS administrative assistant to the commander Colonel Khalid Al Buainain, hospital affairs and services head Dr Rana Al Ghatam, alongside other RMS and BIC senior representatives.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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