
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.
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