"Sensationalism" claim

The Health Division was not helping to resolve the dispute with ambulance drivers, who stepped up industrial action two weeks ago, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin claimed.

The union said the division had resorted to "sensationalism" in its last statement (on the number of patients whose requests for transport had been turned down), and had not offered any suggestions on how to resolve the matter, which concerns a request for allowances for ambulance drivers.

The allowances for a total of 50 ambulance drivers would "only amount" to Lm9,750 a year, the union said.

The union maintained that certain sectors of the government were denying the request, while others were ready to reach an agreement.

Ambulance drivers were not carrying out emergency work, or checking medical apparatus in ambulances.

The UHM also pointed out that the Health Division was aware that a number of ambulances were not equipped to carry emergency cases.