Mater Dei patient visits in 2020 hit lowest numbers in 10 years

Feb 3 2022

Figures tabled in parliament have revealed that 587,101 patients visited Mater Dei Hospital in 2020, marking the lowest figures since 2011 at the very least.

These figures have reportedly confirmed what health professionals feared back in 2020, which was patients cancelling their hospital commitments to avoid potential contact with COVID-19. The figures for 2020 included emergency room visits, day cases, in-patient visits, outpatients visits, ward attenders and dialysis patients within the Renal Units.

Many reportedly expressed fears of going to Mater Dei and cancelling appointments due to potential exposure with COVID-19. The emergency area was reportedly empty at a point; a negative sign since people requiring treatment would eventually visit hospital at a worse state, thus requiring more resources.

2013 saw the highest number of visits, with 847,579 total visits by the end of the year.

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Will Malta need a mandatory fourth vaccine dose? Chris Fearne clarifies

Feb 3 2022

As Malta continues to traverse through the COVID-19 pandemic, with Robert Abela recently revealing that more COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne has clarified if a mandatory fourth vaccine dose will be administered.

Addressing the question on TV show ‘Topik’, Fearne stated that the Health Authorities do not see the need for a fourth vaccine at this stage, “certainly until next autumn.” The Minister highlighted that there seems to be a general consensus on the lack of need for a fourth jab, going on to highlight that the global situation with regards to COVID-19 could become similar to what occurs for influenza, with an annual vaccine offer.

If that were the case, Fearne highlighted that Malta has enough doses to give out vaccines to whoever would like to receive it… “but for the rest of this winter, [they] aren’t considering giving out a fourth dose.”

Would you take the fourth dose if it was offered?

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Photo Source: Topik / RF Studio

More COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted on Monday, says PM

Feb 3 2022

The government will lift more COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, PM Robert Abela has revealed.

The Prime Minister stated this during a conference with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, where he also revealed that students and workers will receive €100 cheques and pensioners and those on social benefits will receive €200.

As of January 17, people not vaccinated with a booster were not allowed to enter a number of local establishments anymore. It was then announced that as of February 7th, restaurants, snack bars and band clubs would no longer require the presentation of a vaccine certificate.

What measures do you think should be lifted?

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Every worker and student in Malta will receive a €100 cheque, pensioners to receive €200

Feb 3 2022

In a press conference addressed earlier today by Prime Minister Robert Abela, it was announced that every single worker and student in Malta will receive a €100 cheque while pensioners and individuals on social benefits will receive €200. The PM highlighted that this incentive follows the two instances of government vouchers during the pandemic to help particular sectors.

This distribution of cash is an attempt to generate economic activity and is over and above the tax refund scheme which will be extended next year. A total of €70 million in cheques are expected to be distributed, with Abela stating that the government will be “your shield against the pandemic.”

The Prime Minister went on to state that his government will be one which incentivises people and not punishes them.

What do you make of this?

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