MMDNA donates archival documents to university library’s Special Collections Department

MMDNA was the pioneer of community domiciliary nursing in the Maltese Islands during the second half of the 20th Century and the beginning of the 21th Century.

Right from the start, the Founders had striven for staff to be fully qualified and well prepared for their work. Also during the first meeting that took place, a most important resolution was passed, whereby the Scheme for home nursing would be used for the benefit of all classes of the community. This principle was strictly adhered to throughout the 70 years of MMDNA's existence.

As it moves towards closing down, MMDNA donated its archival documents to the University of Malta Library Archives and Special Collections Department, at a special event held at the University Library to mark the occasion. The MMDNA archives date back to the 1940’s and largely consist of official association records such as statutes, Council Minutes, Board of Management Minutes, speeches and annual reports. Also included are photographs chronicling the work of the Association throughout its history, two portraits of the Founders as well as some interesting medical artefacts such as an old pressure pump, oxygen mask housed in a wooden box, baby weighing scales and silver nurses’ buckles which once formed part of their distinctive uniform.

MMDNA Chairperson Grace Jaccarini gave a presentation outlining the organisation’s significant history.

University of Malta Pro Rector Dr Carmen Sammut thanked MMDNA for its generous donation on behalf of the University. She said MMDNA provided a vital service in the very heart of where we live. It will remain an important part of our national memory where generosity and community commitment often tend to constitute an important trait of our identity. She appealed to other organisations and individuals to follow MMDNA’s example and to consider enriching the University archives with material that will continue to offer future generations a glimpse into our past.

Director of Library Services Kevin J. Ellul thanked the MMDNA management for choosing to donate the archive to the University of Malta Library where it will be well looked after and preserved for future generations and said that it will shortly be processed and made available to all bona fide researchers.

Other MMDNA assets were presented to 12 beneficiaries, all nonprofit community-based organisations related to the areas of health, social, environmental and education. The beneficiaries have been specially and carefully chosen with the aim of boosting the development of their current projects promoting health, care and well-being.