Teddy Bear Hospital in Israel tries to reduce children’s medical worries

Bar-Ilan University’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine Complex in Safed transforms into ‘Teddy Bear Hospital,’ to help toddlers and preschool children to undergo hospitalization.

Children are invited to bring their teddy bears and dolls to be checked by medical students and staff during the popular annual community event, which is now in its ninth year.

The Teddy Bear Hospital is a pleasant exercise for children and their parents that tries to reduce any concern that children may have about medical treatment.

About 500 youngsters, accompanied by their parents and teachers, have already visited the Teddy Bear Hospital. The kids obtain a better understanding of medical diagnosis, X-ray rooms, blood testing facilities, an ambulance, and a cardiac room for their “ill” stuffed animals and dolls.

The Children were allowed to ask questions about disease, injuries, and medical care, which were answered by students and staff. Additionally, the children were involved in the whole process including admission, examination and diagnosis.

“We were delighted to see so many youngsters walking through the many stations, asking questions and’curing’ their dolls and teddy bears,” said medical student Amit Gabay, the Teddy Bear Hospital’s director. Most significantly, this encounter assists people in overcoming their phobia of medical care.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, each kid was presented with a Teddy Bear Hospital diploma.

The staff take a yearly community-educational program that operates the Teddy Bear Hospital in collaboration with Freddy Singer’s Matat.