Maltese healthcare professionals’ industrial actions will continue until the end of the week as the government is given a “one-week ultimatum” to deal effectively with the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic on the island. 

“The COVID-19 situation has deteriorated significantly, leading to sudden and sharp increase in numbers, and that the tally of new cases on Wednesday is expected to reach a new record,” the Medical Association of Malta said today. 

“The government appears in state of denial, basing itself on the false premise that hospitalizations are low, where on the contrary scientific data shows that a death for every 75 total cases is to be expected with three to six weeks of onset.”

They noted that just yesterday, four patients were admitted to Mater Dei hospital with serious COVID-19 symptoms, bringing the number up to “seven hospitalised patients”. A health centre doctor also reportedly tested positive, alongside another doctor who is currently in quarantine and awaiting their test results.

The MAM had issued plans for industrial action over the last few weeks as they criticised the government for not taking stronger action to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

MAM’s directives saw several common health services affected, with over 95% of MAM’s members following the industrial actions. 

The association noted that while the government had changed rules on mass events with over 300 people, it “continues to permit events with numbers up to 300 together with practically minimal and ineffective enforcement, creating ideal conditions for the spread of the virus”.

In light of travel restrictions placed on Malta from countries such as Ireland and Slovenia, the MAM council said that directives would remain in force until Friday 14th August. Then, directives will be suspended for a week, until the 23rd of August.

“Unless further measures are taken by the cabinet by that date to effectively bring the epidemic under control MAM will again put back into force all directives including the suspension of all elective surgery as from Monday 24^th of August,” they ended.

Cover photo left: Martin Balzan, MAM president, credit, The Malta Independent

What do you think of these plans?