No less than 55,000 people visited the newly-opened Mater Dei Hospital during the two-day open weekend and health festival, a spokesperson for the new hospital said yesterday.

About 35,000 visited the hospital on Saturday and there was a very good take up in all activities that were organised for the occasion on both days.

These included seminars and demonstrations on a number of health issues, while blood donation, podology, dental and eyesight check-up services were also on offer.

More than 2,500 people opted for free medical tests on offer and about 70 pints of blood were donated until about 6pm yesterday, that is more than double the average number of donations normally donated on a daily basis.