OGILVY & Mather, a name synonymous with advertising, brought joy to patients at the Selayang Hospital’s paediatric ward in Bandar Baru Selayang recently.

The global communications company presented five pieces of paintings that were specially produced for the hospital during the "2006 Ogilvy Asia-Pacific Talent Leaders Meeting", under the guidance of Yusof Gajah, one of the country’s leading artists.

Each year, Ogilvy brings together its talent leaders from Asia-Pacific to share practices and exchange knowledge.

This year, 40 staff from China, India, Korea, Japan, Asean, Australia and New Zealand gathered for this session in Kuala Lumpur.

Painting was chosen as one of the activities as it allowed creativity to be expressed as well as encouraged thinking out-of-the-box.

PICTURE: Selayang Hospital head of paediatric ward Dr Wan Jazilah Wan Ismail presenting Fraser with a certificate of appreciation.

The presentation ceremony was held recently and, in conjunction with the event, more than 20 children tried their hand at acrylic painting on canvas bags which they got to keep after the event.

They were also given goodie bags, courtesy of Nestlé Malaysia.

Ogilvy Malaysia group managing director Stephen Fraser said: "Art is a good expression of creativity and children are the most creative."

He said that children viewed things from a fresh perspective.

"This is what we wish to encourage in our talent within the Ogilvy network.

"By consciously and conscientiously harnessing the creativity of our people, we bring value to our clients and the community in general."

The Selayang Hospital was selected because of its role as a progressive hospital which strives to improve the quality of healthcare services and hospital system in Malaysia.

The hospital has an impressive paediatric unit which is fully computerised. The usual sterile hospital atmosphere is missing. Instead, the walls are decorated with cheerful paintings with colourful furniture and fittings placed around the wards.