NTU Children’s Hospital Opens Disney-Themed Outpatient Therapy Center.

Taipei: National Taiwan University Children's Hospital (NTUCH) officially opened a Disney-themed pediatric outpatient therapy center on Wednesday, marking the second such project in Taiwan under the Disney Children's Hospital Initiative. The center, located on the third floor of the Taipei hospital, is a collaboration between Disney, Make-A-Wish Taiwan, and NTUCH, aiming to provide comfort and joy to critically ill children of all ages during their treatment. According to Focus Taiwan, the center is adorned with famous Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Elsa from Frozen, and Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King. These characters are featured in nearly every corner of the redesigned center-from murals and windows to the ceilings, and even on staff badges that come with uplifting messages. NTUCH Superintendent Lee Wang-Tso emphasized that the Disney characters help children undergoing treatment to "forget their worries and face their therapy with greater courage." Echoing Lee's sentiments, National Tai wan University Hospital (NTUH) Vice Superintendent Susan Gau highlighted that children often face greater pain and unease than adults when ill. The presence of familiar characters can offer them much-needed comfort and reassurance. Gau, who is also an attending physician at NTUH's Department of Psychiatry, noted that "when they lie down for treatment, whether for a few hours or even a day or two, being able to see these beloved characters brings them a great deal of joy and comfort." Mark Chan, managing director of The Walt Disney Company Taiwan and Hong Kong, stated that since 2018, the company has been promoting the Disney Children's Hospital Initiative globally to redesign children's hospitals and spaces for pediatric treatment. "We hope to reshape the hospital experience for children and their caregivers, easing their anxiety and fear," he said. In addition to NTUCH, Taipei Medical University Hospital introduced a Disney-themed pediatric ward in December last year, marking the first facility of its kind in Taiwan under the Disney Children's Hospital Initiative. In 2018, Disney announced a global commitment of US$100 million to enhance the patient experience in children's hospitals and pediatric care facilities. The initiative has supported more than 1,300 projects across 45 countries to date, according to the company.