Puttinu Cares pay tribute to late Victor Calvagna on his birthday

Mar 22 2023

The late Puttinu Cares founder and local paediatric cancer specialist Victor Calvagna would have turned 64-years-old today.

The NGO took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved doctor, saying that on a day such as this, they would be celebrating, eating cake and discussing the upcoming Good Friday marathon.

‘But we can do nothing except for miss your presence’ wrote the NGO. ‘We cannot give you a gift but the best thing we can do is name the London building in your name. Binja Victor Calvagna’.

‘This is for you, who wanted to see this amazing project completed and who had close to his heart all the patients he cared for. Rest in Peace Dr. Calvagna – we will never forget you!’

Victor Calvagna was hit by a car in Qawra on Tuesday December 28th last year, rendering him brain dead for several days. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones one week after the accident.

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Termination letter sent to Steward Health Care by government

Mar 22 2023

The government sent a termination letter to Steward Health Care on Tuesday following the recent scandal and court ruling.

The government also revealed that it is stepping in immediately to run the three state hospitals Karin Grech Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital and Gozo General Hospital.

This move gives notice to Steward that it is rejecting the termination conditions which Steward put forth last week upon its announcement that it will be quitting operations on the island.

The government revealed, through Health Minister Chris Fearne in parliament, that it will be carrying out a controlled step in, meaning that it will start running the hospitals with immediate effect.

The government will do so on the healthcare giant’s behalf for the upcoming two weeks. The facilities aforementioned will only formally return to the government once the transition period ends.

Sources within the government informed Times of Malta that this move gives the government a stronger legal footing should it decide to sue the company for damages. The government wishes to avoid a €100 million payment Steward wants to push for having its deal to run the hospitals cancelled earlier than agreed upon.

On his part, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne told parliament that he would safeguard all jobs and contracts to people working at any of these hospitals.

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Roberta Metsola meets Jean Paul Sofia’s mother Isabelle

Mar 22 2023

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola had the chance to meet Isabelle Bonniċi, the mother of late Jean Paul Sofia.

‘No mother should go through what Isabelle Bonniċi is going through’ wrote Metsola. ‘We are obligated to fuel our courage so that justice is delivered’.

Metsola finished her post by echoing the slogan which has been touted by activists and concerned citizens alike ever since the tragedy: ‘Justice for Jean Paul Sofia.’

Jean Paul Sofia was tragically killed in December of 2022 during the collapse of a three-story building in Kordin. The death sparked not only a controversy into infrastructural issues on the island but also protests calling for transparency due to the inquiry into his death not being made public.

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World’s first athlete with 76% physical disability to finish a marathon

Mar 22 2023

Alex Roca, a 32-year-old athlete with 76% cerebral palsy, has just become the first to finish a marathon with the physical disability.

Roca, ambassador of the FC Barcelona Foundation and currently the only Nike athlete with cerebral palsy in the world, suffered from herpetic viral encephalitis at just six months.

This cause cerebral palsy and a 76% disability. This did not stop him however, as the Catalan decided to prepare to run a marathon and spread awareness, and encouragement, to all those around him.

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A post shared by Alex Roca ➕ (@alexroca91)

And on Sunday he did just that, finishing the line of the Barcelona Marathon in 5:50:51, thus fulfilling his lifelong dream to run with cerebral palsy.

Speaking to Spanish media ‘El Mundo’, he stated that: ‘The limit is up to you, and if you want to achieve an objective, whatever difficulties you have, with attitude, willpower, perseverance and resilience, you can achieve everything you propose. And if you do not achieve it, you will have given everything and must feel gratified.’

#MaltaDaily