Fine art for hospital recreation
To some people, fine art is for decorating living rooms. At Mzuzu Central Hospital’s paediatric ward, one would think the paintings gracing its walls are for the same purpose.
Both wings of the ward have paintings in the form of cartoons, toys, animals and children involved in various games.
These paintings usually divert attention of visitors from the patients or smells of medicine emanating from the wards.
The same effect is on the children bedridden at the hospital.
The artworks divert attention from their illnesses, said MCH nurse Chancy Mtika.
“We call it diversional therapy. Whenever they are feeling pain, instead of concentrating on it, we want them to concentrate on the artistic paintings,” said Mtika when The Nation visited the hospital.
He said apart from the paintings, the hospital provides the children with recreational objects to keep them occupied and refreshed in the discovery of life.
“This is for a purpose. Most children have dolls at home. We don’t want a hospital to be a break in their life. We want them to continue with life right in the hospital,” Mtika said.
Most of the parents interviewed said the paintings are performing wonders in their children. They said children do not pester them about returning home because the paintings keep them preoccupied.
