Visit to the Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Developmental Disorders (RCCDD), H-8/4, Islamabad

On August 15, 2024, Year 2 medical students from Shifa College of Medicine visited the Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Developmental Disorders (RCCDD) in H-8/4, Islamabad. The visit was arranged by Dr. Saima Rafi and Dr. Sadia Ajaib from the Community Medicine Department, under the guidance of Dr Sajida Naseem. Each activity was meticulously planned to ensure that the visit outcomes are met. The visit centered around a series of interactive activities tailored for the 118 children at RCCDD. These activities included hand drawing, passing the ball, ball in bucket, car pattern tracing, tooth brushing role play, hand washing, coloring, and playdough modeling. The Community Medicine Department designed these exercises to enhance children’s motor skills, boost their confidence, and provide psychosocial support. Each activity was carefully crafted to meet the individual needs of the children, ensuring that the experience was both engaging and beneficial. The interaction between the medical students and the children was mutually enriching. While the children received valuable attention and support, the medical students gained hands-on experience in a real-world setting. They practiced essential communication skills, which are crucial for their future careers as healthcare professionals. Additionally, the experience deepened their empathy and understanding of the importance of holistic care in medicine, teaching them to approach challenges with compassion keeping in view individual’s well-being. The visit provided the medical students with hands on experience and made a meaningful contribution to this day in the lives of the children at RCCDD. It was an enriching experience, fostering growth and development for both the children and the medical students, highlighting the importance of integrating community-based learning into medical education. The medical students narrated this interaction a lifelong experience.