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Children at Salmaniya Medical Complex's paediatric haematology day case unit will soon have a brand new relaxation room thanks to a BD20,000 donation from brokerage firm, ICAP.
Officials have just given the go-ahead for work to start, after ICAP Middle East's managing director, Kevan Riley got in touch with local charity The Palm Association to make a donation.
"ICAP approached us and said they had a substantial amount of money and wanted a special project. They loved the idea of refurbishing the room," explained Palm Association member, Eibhlin Crosse.
The company raised the money by donating all profits and staff salaries of one working day.
The room will give children with blood disorders who come to the hospital for monthly blood transfusions somewhere to relax, work on computers, watch movies and catch up on school work.
"As the children get older they have to come in more frequently and they spend a lot of time in the hospital," explained Mrs Crosse. "So this room will help them to relax and unwind,"
Dreena Rogers, who has been volunteering at the hospital for more than 30 years, was the driving force behind getting the room refurbished.
"The room has been the same since 1980 when it was refurbished by the Salmaniya Rotary Club and it is a bit dated.
"The new room will make such a difference to children who have to spend so much time in the hospital," she said.
The refurbished room will have four new computers, internet connection, play-stations, plasma TVs, a Qur'anic corner and a craft centre.
"The children who are using the room are 10 years old and above so we want it to be quite grown up," explained Palm Association member, Tania Shaheen.
The Palm Association have also sourced comfortable chairs and sofas covered with specialised antibacterial and fungicidal material.
The money donated by ICAP will also go towards buying new laptops that can be used to help children that are unable to leave their beds.
