This year, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) partnered with BrainSPACE to conduct a special activation workshop to enhance patient well-being at the childhood cancer ward at The Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus. Led by Fatin Khalil, founder of BrainSPACE and Global South Arts & Health Week (GSAHW) Country Festival Director for Pakistan, the workshop offered a day of healing through art, emotion, and mindfulness, tailored to uplift young cancer patients. The event took place on 4 August 2024 at the hospital’s play area for paediatric patients.
Wreaths of Resilience – Healing Through Mindfulness and Art Therapy
The day began with a calming mindfulness session focused on breathing techniques, offering the children a peaceful retreat from their daily battles. Following this, the young patients were guided through activities that tapped into their inner positivity, allowing them to express emotions through creative art. The workshop culminated in a heartwarming ceremony where the children were crowned with intricate henna wreaths, celebrating them as young warriors.
Impact on the Global Stage
The success of this initiative has led to its integration into the Global South Arts & Health Week, shining a light on the essential role of creative arts in promoting health and well-being. IHHN expressed deep gratitude to BrainSPACE for bringing this empowering experience to their patients. Led by Fatin Khalil, the BrainSPACE team has been actively conducting a range of art and wellness activities with various communities, health partners, and NGOs across Karachi. Khalil’s previous work, including a similar initiative during Ramadan, has been met with acclaim, further establishing her commitment to integrating arts into health practices.
GSAHW is a global initiative to advance education, scientific research, and interdisciplinary practice of arts in health, creative art therapy, and community-based art engagements in the Global South. It brings together health professionals, artists, researchers, and communities to explore the therapeutic potential of the arts. As part of this initiative, the workshop at Indus Hospital not only contributes to the well-being of patients but also adds to the growing body of research on the therapeutic power of art. Fatin Khalil’s dedication to documenting and sharing these outcomes with research journals underscores the significance of this work on an international scale.
