Safdarjung Hospital Opens India's First Public Sensory Garden

Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi has launched Umang Vatika, a pioneering sensory garden specifically designed for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. This initiative marks a significant advancement in public healthcare, being the first of its kind in a government institution in North India. The garden aims to support the emotional and developmental needs of children facing challenges such as cerebral palsy and autism.

Umang Vatika offers a specially curated outdoor environment that stimulates various senses, including sight, sound, touch, and smell, while incorporating elements of movement and balance. Features like wheelchair-accessible swings, textured pathways, mud pits, and audio experiences cater to individual sensory processing needs. Trained professionals will guide therapeutic use, integrating it into developmental therapy for the nearly 10,000 children treated annually at the hospital's Child Development Centre.

This innovative approach recognizes sensory stimulation as a necessity for neurological development, aligning with global trends in therapeutic hospital environments. The garden is also accessible to children admitted to paediatric wards, promoting faster healing and better coping mechanisms through play and movement. Umang Vatika represents a crucial step towards making hospitals more comforting and joyful spaces for vulnerable young patients.