COWF Partnership with Invincikids
About the partnership
COWF works with an extensive global network of professional healthcare partners, from clinicians to consultants, private, public, academic and institutional entities to promote collaboration, innovation, and solutions to bridge the gap between healthcare equity and its accessibility worldwide. Through Invincikids we are able to increase the access and use of immersive technologies for mental and physical pain management in children in healthcare settings all over the world, regardless of barriers in time and geographic context.
Background
Together we're working across triage clinics, hospitals, and refugee encampments, COWF partnered with Invincikids to promote better access to the use of immersive technologies for health and pain management across their Jordan programs. In Jordan, COWF's team used the VR headsets and preloaded programs supplied by Invincikids for hospital applications and improved children's mental well-being in local communities.
Clinical Pain Management
Many Syrian refugees often arrive in Jordan sick, injured, and at a high risk for infections because of the overcrowded living conditions. High levels of stress can also cause further complications and risks for patients, especially women and children. COWF implemented Invincikid's program, particularly for pediatric patients receiving medical care at Italian Hospital Amman and other local hospitals and triage clinics.
Mental Wellness for Children
In refugee encampments based near the capital Amman, the COWF team introduced virtual reality therapies at their COWF School of Dreams located on the Syrian border to help children who suffer from severe anxiety and high stress due to their living circumstances and environment. Additionally, the significance relating the emotional well-being of the children in the current difficult times due to the lack of other forms of after-school activities which are currently scarce and or non-existent due to lockdowns, decreased aid funding and social distancing as well as restriction and policies implemented to fight COVID.
In efforts to promote wellness, emotional well-being, and mindfulness, the COWF began an after-school program where students could test and experience the VR headsets as a means of entertainment and positive distraction.
As part of their after-school activity, instructors gave students the chance to play with the VR program. Once the children completed their VR game, instructors would regroup the students and ask them about their experience to fortify and reinforce a positive memory.