Al Zahra unveils striking mural created with help of young patients in preparation for new hospital opening in Dubai

The 19 meter artwork - which can be found gracing the walls of the hospital's Pediatric department - shows a striking array of images inspired by children from Sharjah, where the original Al Zahra Hospital opened 32 years ago.

The images were created after children aged between four and 12 years old from Sharjah and the local community in Al Barsha were personally invited to join together and paint images of an enchanted forest, which was interpreted by local contemporary artist Teréz Szilvia Huszár into a large scale painted mural. The resulting image shows a fantasy-like forest straight from the minds of young children, complete with magic trees, flying elephants, zebras and fairytale castles.

The artist and several of the children that took part in the painting were in attendance at the event, where they were seen putting the final touches to the mural in preparation for the arrival of the hospital's first patients in early February.

The family-focused initiative was created to reinforce the long-standing relationship that parents and patients have with the Al Zahra Hospital, highlighting its extensive heritage and commitment to improving healthcare provision in the UAE.

"We are passionate about healing children as quickly as possible and a big part of this is about making the experience as easy as possible for the children and their families," said Dr Bariah Dardari, Pediatrics and Neonatology Consultant at Al Zahra Hospital in Al Barsha. "Touches like the mural make a real difference by creating a fun, child-focused environment, which helps young patients feel at ease while undergoing treatment whether it is for something relatively straight forward like a broken bone or for treatment of a long-term condition, such as autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder."

In the 32 years since Al Zahra first opened its doors offering first class healthcare in Sharjah, the hospital has become widely known and respected for its pediatric services, delivering almost 200 new born babies and 4,000 pediatric cases every month. Al Zahra is committed to replicating this in the new Al Barsha hospital, where Dr Dardari and her team of experienced physicians and nurses will offer a wide range of children's services and global best practice to ensure the very best in pediatric care.

Dr. David Saxton, Chief Medical Officer of Al Zahra Hospital, Al Barsha, said, "Al Zahra Hospital is a well-established healthcare service and we are proud to be part of the 32 year old heritage it holds. Even more so, the focus on the local community and the trust that comes with this is something we will be establishing here in Dubai, starting with this innovative project."