NEW DELHI: In the middle of crowded OPDs and overflowing wards, Safdarjung hospital has added a sensory garden on its campus, carving out a quieter space for children who need more than routine clinical care.Named Umang Vatika, the garden has been developed as a supportive outdoor area for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Hospital officials said the aim is to complement medical treatment with a structured environment that helps children regulate sensory responses and cope better with therapy.Designed to engage sight, sound, smell, touch and movement, the space is meant for children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit disorders. Doctors said sensory-based interventions are increasingly used alongside clinical therapy to reduce anxiety and improve attention and interaction.The garden was formally opened by Dr Sandeep Bansal, Director of VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. Officials said it will also serve as an informal space for families, offering brief relief from the clinical environment for children who visit the hospital frequently.Hospital authorities said the initiative is a small but deliberate attempt to introduce child-friendly, inclusive infrastructure in a government hospital setting, where patient load and limited resources often leave little room for such spaces.
