Healing with Books: Pediatric Library Inaugurated at AHPGIC

Cuttack: In a heartfelt step toward holistic healing and emotional support for young patients, the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer (AHPGIC) in Cuttack has inaugurated a Pediatric Library on the first floor of its old building. The initiative aims to create a comforting and inspiring environment for children undergoing cancer treatment.

The newly established library provides a vibrant, child-friendly space equipped with an array of storybooks, picture books, comics, drawing and coloring materials, educational games, and digital learning tools. Designed to be both cheerful and therapeutic, the library offers young patients a chance to relax, learn, and express creativity amid their treatment schedules.

Aimed at supporting not just physical recovery but also mental and emotional well-being, the Pediatric Library represents a compassionate approach to pediatric cancer care. By encouraging learning and engagement, it helps children momentarily escape the stress of hospital routines, fostering positivity, confidence, and hope.

The facility will remain open during hospital visiting hours, with trained counsellors and staff assisting children through reading, storytelling, and interactive activities. The library currently accommodates 10 patients along with their parents, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment.

Conceptualized by the AHPGIC administration in collaboration with several Odisha-based NGOs, the initiative reflects the institute’s growing emphasis on comprehensive cancer care — where compassion, education, and emotional support go hand in hand with medical excellence.