New Agreement To Improve Conditions For Health Care Workers

Sep 26 2023

More than 4,000 workers in the public health sector will receive better pay and conditions. This comes after a new sectoral agreement was signed for nurses and midwives, along with a new sectoral agreement for ECG technicians.

During a visit for the signing of these agreements, Prime Minister Robert Abela emphasised that these sectoral agreements are a strong indication of a government committed to investing significantly in areas crucial to the community, with the healthcare sector being one of the most vital areas for the people and the country.

“Malta has a healthcare service that consistently ranks among the best. There is no doubt that the contribution of the workers is essential and central to all of this. That’s why we are investing in one of the leading professions to provide this service. I am immensely satisfied that when we sign these agreements, which represent another fulfilled promise, we are providing the best conditions our nurses have ever had. I have full confidence in what we are doing,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the government’s desire for more young people to choose nursing as a vocation.

“Entering nursing is an act of love for the patient. But everyone knows that, in the end, one also expects that the sacrifices made in both study and work will lead to a fulfilling career that not only provides satisfaction but also helps to live a better quality of life. This agreement aims to strengthen this profession and be seen as a career where one can progress,” said the Prime Minister.

While emphasising the government’s intention to improve the quality of life, he stated that this is one step in a series of initiatives. “Therefore, the country needs to continue to grow the economy to then reinvest what is created in the most critical areas,” said the Prime Minister.

For the signing of these agreements, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Chris Fearne, and the Minister for Active Aging, Jo Etienne Abela.

Describing the agreement as a historic one, the President of the MUMN, Paul Pace, said, “The benefits are many. The primary beneficiaries and the most important are the patients admitted to various hospitals, the elderly residing in institutions, citizens visiting health centres, and those mothers who enter the hospital to give birth to their children.”

He added that with this agreement, we will have more motivated nurses and midwives. “Everyone is aware of the worldwide shortage of nurses. But here in Malta, we haven’t just acknowledged the problem, but more importantly, we’ve worked together to encourage more young people to choose this profession as their career. We’ve also introduced incentives to ensure that nurses and midwives remain in employment, especially those of a young age,” said Paul Pace.

“This Sectoral Agreement couldn’t have come at a better time because it will begin to address this shortage and create stability,” said Pace, also noting that this Sectoral Agreement will incentivise further specialisation for nurses and midwives. “This specialisation is crucial for patients to receive more targeted care for their needs. The most important aspect of this Sectoral Agreement is that it precisely addresses where the challenges lie. The biggest challenge is the shortage of nurses, and it is precisely this that this Sectoral Agreement is addressing. The key to the success of this Sectoral Agreement is that the benefits it contains will stay within these two professions so that young people, when choosing a career, can see the difference,” concluded Pace, thanking the government team involved in the negotiations.

Also present was the Permanent Secretary for Elderly Care, Tony Sultana, along with other government and union officials.

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Jake Vella Kicks Off New School Year From Mater Dei

Sep 26 2023

Beloved athlete Jake Vella has kicked off his Year 10 studies from Mater Dei Hospital, after having been admitted due to medical complications.

Posting to social media, Vella, who suffers from ROHHAD, a disease which keeps him obese despite attempts at thinning down, shared an image of him starting his early morning classes at the hospital.

All ready with his laptop and other school necessities, Jake looks all set to continue his studies despite the hurdles.

Jake is renowned for his resilience despite such medical situations, having picked up learning the guitar over the summer after a Minister took to social media to echo his wish to learn the instrument and find him a mentor.

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Heavy Traffic Reported Around Malta As Schools Reopen

Sep 26 2023

Whereas many were excited to return to the classroom, many found that the commute to the beginning of the new scholastic year proved to be outright frustrating.

Many on social media are reporting heavy traffic congesting various Maltese roads as many try to make it on time for their first day in a new grade or possibly a new school altogether.

Facebook page ‘Maltese Roads Traffic Updates’ reported around an hour ago how there is heavy traffic heading towards Marsa from Garibaldi Road, Luqa, and Tal-Barrani Road.

Some accidents were also reported, with one causing delays in Żabbar in the direction of Marsascala.

It is expected that 34,699 students are set to start or return to school this week.

Did you get stuck in traffic this morning?

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Direct Route Between Ċirkewwa & University Launched

Sep 26 2023

A permanent route which will significantly improve the service for Gozitan University students travelling to the main campus of the University of Malta has been launched. This initiative arose from extensive discussions with the Gozitan University Group (GUG) and a strong need to address the transportation issues that Gozitan students face.

This was announced by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia, and Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri.

Discussions with the Gozo University Group (GUG) had revealed a number of issues affecting existing transportation options. Thus, a direct route between Ċirkewwa and University has been launched. This route will utilise bypasses such as the Mellieħa and St. Paul’s Bay bypass, with only two stops along the way guaranteeing the fastest possible service. Government will be investing over €210,000 annually to provide this service.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its citizens, particularly Gozitan students pursuing an education at the University of Malta. The new express bus route will provide all Gozitan students with more convenience, shorter travel times, and greater accessibility.

Minister Aaron Farrugia reiterated the government’s commitment to continue to incentivise and encourage more people to use alternative means of transport. He explained how through this route a significant number of cars will be reduced from the roads because students were offered a practical alternative.

“People are expecting practical alternatives for them to make use of instead of their personal car. This X300 route offers exactly this as it will be reducing a number of extra stops for Gozitan university students. We will continue to announce initiatives that complement not only the investment we announced marking an increase in our public transport bus fleet, but also infrastructural investments that will support our vision in favour of alternative means of transport,” concluded Minister Farrugia.

Minister Clint Camilleri stated “As a government, we are investing in order to offer the direct X300 service from Ċirkewwa to University and back. We believe that we should facilitate the transportation of Gozitan students who choose to continue their studies in Malta. Students have always been and still are a priority to this Government. Although we launched the fast ferry service, we did not stop there; we continued to discuss and explore ways to improve the connection between the islands.”

Minister Camilleri emphasised that strengthening accessibility is one of the government’s top priorities, as well as a key focus for the Ministry for Gozo for the next ten years. This commitment aims to enhance the quality of life for both Gozitans and Gozo residents.

From her end, GUG President, Christine Sultana stated that GUG has maintained a consistent focus on addressing transportation issues faced by fellow students. Their recent efforts have been particularly dedicated to the revival of the X300 route, with a specific emphasis on accommodating daily commuters. She continued that this launch is a step in the right direction, and GUG is committed to continue working towards the enhancement of transportation infrastructure to better accommodate Gozitan student’s lives in Malta. “GUG has been and will continue to be an organisation by the students, for the students,” concluded Christine Sultana.

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