The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) concluded its 21st Student Volunteer Program on 30th December. In the week long program 128 students from different Karachi schools participated. They had completed 30 hours of training and volunteer work.
Students attended informative medical lectures on hepatitis, diabetes, heart trouble and kidney failure, by doctors who are specialists in their fields. The primary purpose of these lectures is to enable students to recognize and respond to emergency situations. With increased awareness at an early age they are also better able to appreciate the importance of prevention.
Volunteers were divided into small groups and assigned various hospital duties in wards, outpatient departments, reception and record room. Students were particularly helpful in the pediatric ward where they assisted parents and nurses and proved to be a great source of joy and entertainment for children laid up in bed. Some students helped in cleaning an old record room and organizing files, others met with transplant patients and came to appreciate their stories and struggles.
The program also organizes interactive sessions. In one such session students were shown a film on the history of organ trafficking in Pakistan that was followed by active discussions where students voiced their opinions and got a chance to reflect on the problems highlighted in the film. Some students were so saddened by the harsh realities of the trade that they have vowed to stand up against this cruelty. These students have proactively set up a forum on facebook to solicit support for the implementation of the organ laws being currently flouted.
The program concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony where Dr. Adibul Hasan Rizvi welcomed parents and volunteers. He said that he was very optimistic to see the energy and enthusiasm of all the young volunteers and believed that “our unfulfilled dreams will be fulfilled by our new generation”. “We are very satisfied with the performance of our volunteers as they have shown great capability and eagerness. Even after completion of the programme, many students return regularly to help the hospital staff and serve patients”
Students participating in SIUT’s volunteer program benefit from the hands on activities in the wards, which for many of them, proves to be an invaluable experience. For many it changes their perspective on life by interacting with patients from less privileged backgrounds and appreciating their willingness to fight the diseases they have. In this positive environment they develop their confidence, social-skills and a sense of charity and social-responsibility.