In a heart-warming initiative, Srinagar-based Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) organized its first therapeutic trip to the famous Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden for children battling cancer. This event happened recently, which brought happiness in the lives of these little patients and gave them a much-needed respite from the hospital routine.

About a dozen children, aged between 4 to 18 years, took part in this journey. The children passed through the beautiful views of Dal Lake from SKIMS and reached the Tulip Garden. Director of SKIMS Prof. M. Ashraf Ghani himself flagged off the group in the presence of senior faculty members. A special medical team including senior doctors, medical officers and resident doctors accompanied the children to ensure their safety and comfort.

The Horticulture Department supported the initiative by providing free entry and refreshments to the children. The visit was carefully timed keeping in mind the children’s chemotherapy cycles, so that they would not miss any dose of their treatment.

Highlighting therapeutic benefits
Pro. M. Ashraf Ghani described the visit as a part of SKIMS’s broader immunotherapy efforts. He explained that positive experiences outdoors can reduce stress, improve emotional health, and have a positive impact on the body’s immune response.

“Positive experiences impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis,” she said, adding that such moments of hope and expectation, along with medical treatment, can strengthen the body’s natural ability to fight cancer cells. The doctors accompanying the children said that as these little patients enjoyed the colorful tulip flowers, there was a visible improvement in their mood and smiles on their faces.

This initiative marks the beginning of other similar therapeutic programmes. SKIMS plans to expand such visits in the future to include more cancer patients as well as children suffering from other chronic conditions such as diabetes.

This day is a beautiful reminder that even during difficult medical journeys, moments of joy and connection with nature can still exist, providing hope and strength to these little warriors and their families