The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said today that while the Maltese Government took 'extreme measures' to assist patients from Libya, the same political commitment was not shown to the Gozitan patients who needed chemotherapy and had to go to Boffa hospital for such treatment on a regular basis.

"It is clear that Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, is still "studying" the implementation of such a service in Gozo General Hospital whilst the Gozitans needing chemotherapy are still suffering," the union said.

The union welcomed the latest declaration by the Prime Minister that the Intensive Therapy Unit at Mater Dei Hospital  is now "full" and therefore cannot take in more ITU patients from Libya.

"MUMN would like to declare that both ITU and Mater Dei Hospital were in fact both full even on the very first day of the arrival of the Libyan patients to Mater Dei Hospital."

It said that on the day of arrival of the Libyan patients, which was September 20,  the ITU was full with two extra beds in the theatre recovery area whilst 34 patients were on stretchers in the corridor areas in Mater Dei Hospital.

"MUMN would like to note on the courage of the Prime Minister who has finally recognised the limitations which a small country such as Malta could offer to any neighbouring country especially in medical assistance," the union said.