The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has issued directives for its members working at Mount Carmel Hospital regarding the treatment of Abner Aquilina, who is charged with the rape and murder of Paulina Dembska in 2022. 

If Aquilina is moved to their ward, nurses are ordered to abandon the ward and not accompany him anywhere, including court sittings and Mater Dei hospital, unless he is escorted by two police officers or two prison guards.

These directives come in response to MUMN’s demand for round-the-clock prison security for Aquilina during his treatment at Mount Carmel Hospital. Aquilina, who is pleading not guilty and is the subject of an insanity defense, had initially been decreed to be sent back to a regular ward at Mount Carmel Hospital by a court decision. 

However, MUMN accuses Mount Carmel Management of failing to provide the required security measures and calls for the removal of other patients from the Multi-Purpose Unit ward to ensure Aquilina does not pose a threat to them.

MUMN criticized the court’s decision, stating that Mount Carmel Hospital lacks the facilities to cater to highly violent patients like Aquilina, unlike the purpose-built Forensic Unit. 

Consequently, MUMN is instructing nurses to refuse assistance in releasing Aquilina from his room and insisting on police officers or prison guards for his security, citing concerns about the hospital’s security personnel’s equipment and authority.

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