PM 'receptive' to doctors' concerns

The Medical Association of Malta said yesterday that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was receptive to its concerns over changes in the Health Care Professions Act which it says may lower training standards for doctors.

MAM and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses met Dr Gonzi at his office in Valletta yesterday afternoon.

Dr Gonzi has been receiving unions, non-governmental organisations and civil societies since he took office in March, asking for their views on the problems that need to be addressed in their respective sectors.

MAM representatives brought up the issue of a proposed amendment to the Health Care Professions Act that would oblige Malta to recognise degrees in non-EU member states. They fear this may lower standards.

MAM general secretary Martin Balzan said Dr Gonzi was receptive to the arguments brought by the union and told them he would seek technical advice over the matter. Mr Balzan said the outcome of the meeting was positive.

In a separate meeting, an MUMN delegation, led by union president Rudolph Cini, thanked Dr Gonzi for his timely interventions in recent disputes that the nurses had with the government over certain working conditions.

Mr Cini said nurses were still awaiting the successful conclusion of discussions over a new collective agreement. He added that there was a shortage of nurses, especially at the Gozo General Hospital.