Government Announces Measures To Address MAM Industrial Action

Government Announces Measures To Address MAM Industrial Action
Jan 24 2025 Share

The government has announced plans to address the impact of industrial action by the Medical Association of Malta (MAM), which has led to a temporary interruption of family doctor services at several health centres.

Family doctor services at clinics in Gżira, Qormi, Ħal Kirkop, Bormla, and Birkirkara will be unavailable on Tuesdays and Fridays, following directives issued by MAM.

However, nurses will continue providing essential services, including wound care, blood drawing, and nebuliser treatments, at all health centres.

To ensure continuity of care, the Ministry for Health and Active Aging has activated agreements with private healthcare providers. Residents requiring urgent family doctor services are advised to contact designated numbers to access care at private hospitals, including Capua Hospital in Sliema, St James Hospital, Da Vinci Hospital, and St Thomas Hospital. These services will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m:

For those who urgently need a family doctor and reside in the area served by the Gżira Health Centre, they are asked to call this number: 99889223. A limited family doctor service will be provided by Capua Hospital in Sliema.

For those who urgently need a family doctor and reside in the areas served by the Bormla Health Centre and the Ħal Kirkop Health Centre, they are asked to call this number: 99889223. A limited family doctor service will be provided by St James Hospital.

For those who urgently need a family doctor and reside in the area served by the Birkirkara Health Centre, they are asked to call this number: 79491500. A limited family doctor service will be provided by Da Vinci Hospital.

For those who urgently need a family doctor and reside in the area served by the Ħal Qormi Health Centre, they are asked to call this number: 77482480. A limited family doctor service will be provided by St Thomas Hospital.

The MAM directives are part of an ongoing dispute regarding the government’s outsourcing of emergency cases to private hospitals to reduce the workload at Mater Dei Hospital.

MAM claims it was not consulted about this arrangement, while Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela denies the allegation and attributes some of the union’s actions to personal grievances.

The government stated it respects workers’ rights to industrial action but remains committed to safeguarding patient care. It is also exploring ways to address long-term doctor shortages, including attracting more professionals to the public healthcare system and supporting the training of local medical graduates.

#MaltaDaily

36 Year Old Italian Motorcyclist Dies After Imsida Crash

36 Year Old Italian Motorcyclist Dies After Imsida Crash
Jan 24 2025 Share

A 36 year old Italian man, resident of Birkirkara, lost his life yesterday in a traffic accident in Imsida.

The accident took place at around 2015hrs in Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli.

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Preliminary investigations showed that the man was driving a Honda motorcycle and lost control whilst in the tunnel, crashed into a wall and fell off the vehicle.

The victim was immediately given preliminary aid by a medical team on site and taken to Mater Dei for further care.

Unfortunately, he was later certified deceased.

An inquiry has been opened and police investigations are ongoing.

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Parents Reverse Decision To Withdraw Kids After Meeting

Parents Reverse Decision To Withdraw Kids After Meeting
Jan 24 2025 Share

A couple who withdrew their children from San Ġwann’s St Clare College Primary School after learning their teacher, Stefan Vassallo, is gay, have reversed their decision following discussions with the school, Times of Malta reported.

Education Minister Clifton Grima confirmed the parents will keep their children at the school after a “long and cordial” meeting with the administration and Vassallo.

“The school is equipped to provide the best education to all the children of San Ġwann,” Grima told Times of Malta.

The parents had initially objected to Vassallo, citing his rainbow-flagged bag and their conservative values, but explained during the meeting that their decision stemmed from cultural misconceptions about homosexuality.

Having emigrated to Malta from a less accepting society, they had not understood Malta’s progressive stance on LGBTQ+ equality.

Times of Malta reported that during the meeting, the parents acknowledged their misunderstanding and decided to keep their children at the school. Vassallo, who has been teaching for a decade, described this as the first time his sexuality had been an issue.

The school, which serves a culturally diverse student body, did not consider changing Vassallo’s teaching role. According to Times of Malta, the meeting resolved the issue amicably, with both sides satisfied.

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4 Men Arrested In Marsa Garage For Drug Trafficking

4 Men Arrested In Marsa Garage For Drug Trafficking
Jan 23 2025 Share

After days of investigations and observations, at around 1030hrs, police, with the collaborative effort of other sections of the corps, surrounded a garage in Triq is-Serkin, Marsa, due to it being allegedly used in drug trafficking.

During the operation, four men were arrested: a 19 year old and a 29 year old residents of Marsa, a Qrendi resident aged 26 years old and a 39 year old resident of Bormla.

Searches on the location yielded 100 packets of synthetic drugs, 50 packets of suspected cocaine and 50 packets of suspected heroin, along with around €3,000 in cash.

An inquiry has been opened and investigations are ongoing.

#MaltaDaily