The Labour Party (PL) yesterday urged the government not to let the present problems in the public health care system fester.

Helena Dalli, shadow minister for public sector and public investment, said the "serious inefficiencies" exposed by the Ombudsman's report were all the more worrying when it happened to be the public health sector.

She pointed out that, while Social Policy Minister John Dalli's statements a few months ago described the situation on hospital waiting lists for operations as "scandalous", there was further confirmation of this in the Ombudsman's report.

Ms Dalli maintained that the government has not addressed the need for further investment in human resources in the sector.

For the country to have qualified public medical personnel, the government must approach the issue on a long-term basis and not let the situation stagnate as it has these past few years.

The public health sector needs to be given priority and special attention, Ms Dalli emphasised, and the government has to "seriously address" the problems concerning the hospitals.

She added that these problems had been left to grow and many citizens, especially the elderly, were suffering the consequences.