GMC Hospital Annual Healthy Baby Contest & Exhibition attracts huge participation

Over 3000 attend the event. More than 300 children participated in the contest

The event was not just about judging the babies based on their health, it was also about parenting. Parents were asked about basic issues related to their children and educated them about parenting tips especially to the first time parents. New parents are often so anxious; they need to know what’s normal and when they should worry

The GMC Annual Healthy Baby Contest & Exhibition 2014 was held by GMC Hospital, Ajman on the 25^th & 26^th of April 2014 at the Gulf Medical University. Every year, the contest is held under the patronage of Mr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President Thumbay Group UAE, promoters of GMC Hospitals and Gulf Medical University.

His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Majid Bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Chairman Ruler’s Court Ajman and Mr. Thumbay Moideen graced the occasion. Mrs. Shabana Faisal, Vice Chairperson, KEF Holdings was the Chief Guest. Prof. Gita Ashok Raj, Provost Gulf Medical University was the Guest of Honor. They distributed the prizes to the winners in various categories of the contest. Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Director Operations, Healthcare and Retail Thumbay Group and many dignitaries attended the event. Over 3000 people including the participants, parents and others attended the event, held over two days.

The selection of the ‘Healthy Baby’ was done according to the physical and mental growth, complete immunization, and general appearance of the child and parent’s knowledge about childcare. Over 300 children under 5 categories participated in the competition. The categories based on age were – from 3 months to 1 year, 1 to 2 years, 2 to 3 years, 3 to 4years and 4 years to 5years. Apart from prizes in five age group categories the participants also won prizes for – Curly Hair, Sparkling Eyes, Sunshine smile and chubby cheeks.

Renowned pediatricians, apart from the experts at GMC Hospital judged the participants. The contest helps to raise community awareness and to inculcate health and nutrition habits for children at an early age for a healthy living & good lifestyle. The contest also promotes health consciousness among mothers regarding different factors affecting the health of children and detecting ill health & sickness at early stages and also a personal and friendly interaction with our renowned doctors.

Apart from choosing a Healthy Baby, the judges have also talked to the parents about Parenting. Parents should be aware of the issues related to the growth, immunization, vaccination and taking care of their child’s normal growth. It involves understanding the child’s needs, which is crucial, says Prof. Mahmoud Shamseldeen, Professor and Head of Pediatrics Department at GMC Hospital Ajman, who was one of the judges. We talk to parents and advise them about the basics of parenting. Especially to first time parents, it is very important to know their child better. New parents are often so anxious; they need to know what’s normal and when they should worry, he added.

There was an online voting contest for babies from 3 months to five years. Over 600 children participated in this category, and the top ten winners based on highest votes were given special prizes.

This year’s edition was the biggest and most memorable event for children and their parents. For the first time, Inter Nursery and Kindergarten Schools competition was introduced this year.

This year an Inter Nursery and Kindergarten Schools competition was held on the second day of the event. Children from over 15 Nurseries, Kindergarten and Primary Schools from all over the country, with over 100 children participated in Dance, Songs and Talent Show competitions. There was a display of talents by the tiny tots in Group Dance, Group Singing, and culture.

Over 35 companies and organizations have supported the event. KEF Holdings was the Platinum Sponsor, Novalac was the Gold Sponsor and Junior Active Club of Body & Soul Health Club and Spa Ajman. Kabritar, Vitabiotics, Abbott, Danone (Babylac), Sara Trident, Julphar, Planet Pharmacies, Grand Stores, Pharmalink, Nestle, GMC Pharmacy, ZO&MO Opticals, Nutrivita Plus, TMDC, Leo Sons, UAE Exchange, MSD, Delta, Woodlands, Blends & Brews, Terrace Restaurant, Najmat Lahore, Piccadilly Whippy, Falafel Abwab Alquds, Muscat Pharmaceutical Trading LLC, VLCC, TMG, Mother, Baby & Child and Magrudy also supported the event.

Past events have been of remarkable success with an attendance of over 2000. The popularity of this event amongst the parents & children has inspired us to get much bigger and better this year, and we recorded a participation of over 4000 this year, said one of the organizing committee members.

LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS:

3Months – 1 Year:
1st Prize: – Sanjana Sannan 2nd Prize:-  Illisha Bidwa  3rd Prize:-Neel Shah     Sunshine Smile –  Aaira Fatima Chubby Cheeks – Evan Khan, Sparkling Eyes –  Anthea Daniel, Curly Hair – Farhan Saleem Ahmed

1 Year – 2 Years:
1st Prize:- Karim Mohammad, 2nd Prize:- Etash Riju Pankaj 3rd    Prize:- Ain  Fatima
Sunshine Smile – Mizna Jishal, Chubby Cheeks – Ryka Pravian, Sparkling Eyes – Eshal Mohd Ameen, Curly Hair – Yuval

2 years – 3 Years:
1st Prize-   Rubah, 2nd Prize Shreyash, 3rd Prize:-Ceana Angel D Souza
Sunshine Smile –  Harnidh Kauf, Chubby Cheeks –  Maira, Sparkling Eyes – Alysia Meulssom, Curly Hair – Chahd Boutaya

3 Years – 4 Years:
1st Prize- Delisha, 2nd Prize:-Hamda Nayab, 3rd Prize:- Pearl Shah
Sunshine Smile – Ishal Zaheer, Chubby Cheeks – Jahnah Mikaela, Sparkling Eyes – Reyansh Modi, Curly Hair – Ahmed Husam Ahmed

4 Years – 5 Years
1st: Prize-Jury, 2nd Prize:-  Alia Ahmed, 3rd Prize :-Nandini Boyapati
Sunshine Smile – Faiza Hashik, Chubby Cheeks – Kashaf Fatima, Sparkling Eyes – Yameen Xesser, Curly Hair – Hassini Eluri