Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi officially opened a newly refurbished playroom at the hospital’s Fairyland Ward, the refurbishment of which was fully funded by donations to the Daniel Delicata Memorial Association.

Maria Delicata, whose son Daniel required immediate surgery upon birth due to a condition whereby his intestines were growing outside his body (gastroschisis), explained that the expense involved for the refurbishment of the playroom, together with floor graphics in other children’s wards, was fully covered by donations. The total cost of the refurbishment amounted to €4,000.

Mrs Delicata noted that it is scientifically proven that patients heal faster when they are in a pleasant environment that makes them happy.

The beautiful wall graphics in the newly refurbished playroom include characters such as Tinker Bell, and the room is equipped with a television, and a small table and a set of chairs, among other things.

The Daniel Delicata Memorial Association regularly carries a lot of valuable work with the aim of improving the quality of life for sick children. One of its current projects is the installation of Playstation units in children’s wards. This project was in the pipeline before Mater Dei Hospital opened, but it had to be shelved due to the hospital migration process.

Whilst the hospitals’ medical facilities and dedication of the hospitals’ staff are certainly not lacking, the environment does miss many of those often small but important things that can make the stay of its little occupants so much more pleasant.