The "Riang Ria Paediatrics" program was held on 16 July 2024 at the Paediatric Ward 6 Selatan of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. The event was organized by the USM Year 3 Medical Student Paediatric Posting Group 4 for the 2023/2024 session. The program aimed to enhance health awareness, provide educational and interactive activities, create a cheerful ward atmosphere, and foster children's creativity. The event kicked off with an ice-breaking session to introduce participants to one another, fostering a sense of community and engagement. This was followed by a series of engaging activities designed to educate and entertain the children.

The coloring activity allowed children to express their creativity and improve fine motor skills as they colored pictures related to body parts and animals. This activity was paired with a body part guessing game, which introduced basic anatomy to the children in a fun and educational way. It also served as an opportunity to assess the developmental milestones of each patient. Next, the animal habitat guessing game helped children learn about different animals and their natural habitats by matching illustrated cards, enhancing their understanding of the natural world. The origami session, led by students, encouraged creativity and improved hand-eye coordination as children folded paper into birds, boats, and animals.

For parents, a hand rub demonstration was conducted to educate them on proper handwashing techniques, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene in preventing infections. The program concluded with the distribution of goodies, including small toys and educational materials, leaving the children with joyful memories and a positive hospital experience.

The program saw participation from 25 children, 30 parents, and 36 Year 3 students who volunteered for this program. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Children were enthusiastic and engaged, showing interest in the educational games and activities. Parents expressed appreciation for the hand hygiene session, which provided them with valuable knowledge, and were pleased to see their children actively participating in enriching activities. The students reported a fulfilling experience and suggested incorporating more technology-based activities in the future to further captivate the children's interest.

The "Riang Ria Paediatrics" program at HUSM successfully brightened the hospital stay for young patients and provided educational benefits, as demonstrated by the positive feedback from all participants. It is hoped that this initiative can continue and expand to provide even more significant positive impacts on young patients and their families in the future.