(Vienna, 05-12-2023) Hundreds of children with their favourite teddies, cuddly toys and dolls came to the launch of the Teddy Bear Hospital in Vienna today, a collaboration between MedUni Vienna, the Austrian Students' Association (AMSA), the Vienna Medical Association and the Academic Association of Austrian Pharmacists. The cuddly toys were examined, treated and even operated on in the outpatient clinics with the help of the young assistant doctors. Medical Association President Johannes Steinhart and Anita Holzinger, Curriculum Director of MedUni Vienna, were also allowed to assist with X-rays and operations.
The Teddy Bear Hospital runs until Thursday, 7 December. The kids and their pets are looked after by the "Teddy-Docs", MedUni Vienna students. A real hospital visit is simulated: there is an admission ward, an emergency department, a dental clinic and operating theatres. You can have an ECG or a computer tomography scan. The children are actively involved as assistant doctors. The aim of the event, which is taking place for the 20th time this year, is to take away children's fear of visiting the doctor or going to hospital.
Teddy Bear Hospital 2023 - still open until Thursday
5.12.-7.12. 2023 (9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm, free admission - suitable for children between 4 and 8 years, no registration required for individuals, Vienna Medical Chamber, Weihburggasse 10-12, 1010 Vienna). The organisers ask that children bring their own slippers or sports shoes. The mornings are reserved for registered school classes, in the afternoon children can drop by spontaneously with their teddies.