From A. E. Baldacchino

Your question as to why palm trees were planted at Mater Dei Hospital makes a lot of sense.

However, if one keeps in mind that palm trees make a substantial amount of profit for the seller, and considering the recent march of the Red Palm Weevil, one presumes that the demand for such trees has fallen substantially.

But it seems that the government in its “wisdom” and its “expertise”, accepts everything! Besides, if the newly planted palm trees are given the kiss of death by the Red Palm Weevil, neither the landscape designer, nor the minister responsible will be asked for any reimbursement of expenses. The charge is made to the public coffers. Furthermore, there isn’t a better place for a substantial number of palm trees from the local stock to kiss their roots goodbye than at Mater Dei Hospital.

One small observation: the palm trees in question are not only not endemic, they are not even indigenous.

A. E. Baldacchino