In a landmark move for inclusive healthcare, New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital has unveiled a first-of-its-kind sensory garden designed specifically to aid children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Named Umang Vatika, this facility, inaugurated on January 8, 2026, represents the first such therapeutic outdoor space within a government healthcare institution in North India.
A Therapeutic Haven for Sensory Development
The garden is not merely a play area but a carefully curated therapeutic environment. It is designed to stimulate the five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—while also incorporating movement and balance activities. The goal is to provide a calming, organized space that helps children with conditions like autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and learning disabilities manage sensory input, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.
Dr. Rachna Sehgal, Professor of Paediatrics and a Paediatric Neurologist at Safdarjung Hospital, emphasized the critical need for such a facility. "For these children, sensory stimulation is not a luxury but a necessity," she stated. "Just as a balanced diet is essential for physical health, a 'sensory diet' is crucial for their neurological development."
Features Designed for Universal Access and Engagement
Umang Vatika is packed with features tailored to diverse needs. It includes wheelchair-accessible swings and merry-go-rounds, textured sensory pathways, mud pits for tactile exploration, and soothing visual art installations. Thoughtfully designed ramps ensure full mobility access.
Innovative elements like QR-code-enabled audio experiences provide additional layers of engagement. "This garden is a boon for children who otherwise experience hospitals as restrictive or intimidating spaces," Dr. Sehgal explained. "Here, the hospital becomes a place of exploration, comfort, and joy."
A Pioneering Step in India's Public Healthcare
The initiative holds immense significance given the patient load at the hospital's Child Development Centre (CDC), which treats nearly 10,000 children annually for various neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions. Children visiting the CDC or admitted to paediatric wards, especially neurology, can use the garden as part of their therapy under the guidance of occupational, speech, and other therapists.
Dr. Sehgal noted that while sensory gardens are common in Western hospitals, in India they are found only in a handful of locations, mostly in the southern states. This makes Umang Vatika a pioneering effort in the north. The project also aligns with India's national Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) guidelines promoting developmentally supportive care.
By integrating play and sensory therapy into hospital care, Safdarjung Hospital is setting a new standard for empathetic, holistic, and child-centric public healthcare in the region.
