Ariadne Massa
Médecins Sans Frontières to provide medical aid to illegal immigrants
Médecins Sans Frontières (MFS), the international humanitarian organisation, has teamed up with the government to provide free medical aid to illegal immigrants reaching the island by the boatload.
Through a memorandum of understanding signed yesterday, MSF will this week begin operating through the presence of a field coordinator, two doctors, a nurse, a psychologist, a health promotion expert and interpreters to assist immigrants on their arrival and those in detention and open centres.
The one-year agreement, signed in the presence of Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, is timely as Malta heaves under the strain of a growing influx of immigrants.
"The service provided by MSF will complement the services we are already providing. Their expertise and advice will enable us to be better equipped to deal with the increasing number of arrivals," Dr Mifsud Bonnici said.
This was in line with the government's mission to assist migrants seeking refuge and to provide them with medical treatment on arrival while protecting the local population from the risk of infection.
So far this year, about 1,600 illegal immigrants have landed on the island, about 600 more than last year, and Dr Mifsud Bonnici stressed the importance of burden-sharing among EU countries.
Antonio Virgilio, who is leading the MSF mission in Malta, said his staff will be identifying the vulnerable categories of immigrants upon arrival and assessing, among others, their mental, sexual and reproductive health.
The MSF team, which visited Malta last December, will be extending the same treatment to immigrants in detention and in open centres.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said Malta wanted to send the message that it was a democratic and civilised country, which was facing serious problems because of illegal immigration.
He stressed it was not right for people to merely criticise and move on, when they could help, referring to situations where Malta had in the past been criticised for its policy on detention and the conditions within centres.
On Frontex's patrols, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said its operations had to be fine-tuned. "Thank you for your work but there's space for more to be done," he said.
On the subject of repatriation, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the government was working hand in hand with the UN's High Commission for Refugees to ensure immigrants were being returned to a safe country. In a matter of three years, between 2004 and 2007, a total of 2,777 immigrants were refused any form of status in Malta and returned to their country.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Updated: Shot migrant in critical...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
CABS drone shot down
Updated: Labour would give...
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
Second group of migrants arrives
17 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
M. Mercieca
Jul 31st 2008, 06:25
@L Galea
We may also add:
Spain,Italy,United Kingdom,Spain,Portugal,France
The above countries are behind Africa’s tragedy.
@ Joanne Micallef
Is there a race or a mean of transport (Boat, Five starts curse liner, private jet or a plane) that makes one immune against disease?
@ B Borg
You gave me an Idea. Thank you
Practically, all our talks over the immigrant issue is undemocratic. We are talking with ourselves and the third party they don’t have a chance to voice their voice. I will have to write to the Minister to provide the detention centers with a computer and internet service and make it accessible to immigrants. Of course all this can be done under the control of the detention centers authorities. (After all the EU is paying every thing for the immigrants) and this idea goes well with EU human rights and democracy.
Here I would like to remind every one that, just because some persons do not have documents, it does not mean they do not have rights.
I say so, and I am ready to rebut any critics, but please, don’t confuse immigrants with ‘prisoners’
Corinne Vella
Jul 30th 2008, 21:41
Denis Catania: Adopting that same logic, the US of A would deport you back to Malta.
Corinne Vella
Jul 30th 2008, 21:40
Iris Azzopardi: "We have to choose". Providing appropriate aid to migrants is not something to be decided on the basis of a PR strategy aimed solely at ourselves.
Corinne Vella
Jul 30th 2008, 21:38
Joanne Micallef: "Well as long as MFS don’t start making demands and unfairly criticise our country and the way we are handling this crises, their help is very much welcome." Medecins San Frontiers can sleep safely at night now that a representative of a right wing party with grandiose ambitions and racist policies has welcomed their presence as long as they don't say anything she doesn't approve of.
Corinne Vella
Jul 30th 2008, 21:35
Iris Azzopardi: You aren't exactly speechless, but you do seem short of some sort of common sense. Aren't one of those who regularly complain about 'these people' being a burden that should be shared? Now you're horrified that that's happening.
john fenech
Jul 30th 2008, 19:28
Nautilus 2008 agreement (07-05-2008):
The mission was on hold due to the difference of opinion concerning the responsibility of migrants saved at sea. After discussions rules regarding the disembarkation of persons rescued at sea during the operation will remain the same as in last year’s operation. Migrants saved in the Libyan Search and Rescue Area (SAR) will be taken to Libya, when not possible to closest safe haven.
HERA 2008 agreement:
Spain concluded agreements with Mauritania and Senegal which allow diverting of would-be immigrants’ boats back to their points of departure from a certain distance of the African coast line described in the agreements that Spain has between Mauritania and Senegal. A Mauritanian or Senegalese law enforcement officer is always present on board of deployed Member States’ assets and is always responsible for the diversion
Statistics 28/07/08:
HERA 2008 Spain:
Illegal Immigrants Arrival: 4233
Deter: ....................................2966
Facilitators arrested:.............106
NAUTILUS 2008 Malta:
Illegal Immigrants arrival:...1380
Deter:............................................ 0
Facilitators arrested:...................0
So unless Libya will accept back the illegal immigrants Frontex mission is to ensure that these arrived safely in Malta or Italy.
If MFS will support Malta’s need for constructive assistance, it will be appreciated.
Denis Catania
Jul 30th 2008, 16:53
@L Galea, Well said. The ones that stole their resources should take them in.
ALFRED BONELLO
Jul 30th 2008, 16:38
Hats off to Graham Holme ... may I add to all his comments that it would be all the more inviting for other immigrants to set foot here , if only Government would give them as well a red carpet welcome ----
IS THIS NOT THE TIME TO WAKE UP ??
M.Merceica
Jul 30th 2008, 16:15
Europe needs immigrants in MILLIONS not thousands.
Should peoples prefer to keep moaning, cast assumptions and nonsense about the irregular immigrants this is in VAIN.
Europe needs Million of Immigrants; you might be surprised to know that Africa will not cope with the supply. Sounds a bit ‘ugly’ as may some may take it bu,t facts talk for themselves.
This is the official site of EU information.
http://euobserver.com/9/26333/?rk=1
Brussels to push for EU wide rules on migrants and asylum seekers
16.06.2008
As part of efforts to fulfil Europe's hunger for workers and alleviate the pressure of illegal migration, the European Commission is set to kick off a lengthy legislative process aimed at putting in place a common immigration policy - something the bloc has been trying to achieve since 1999.
"We want to help those who are really refugees to come to Europe without dying at seas"
The average birth rate within the EU is down to about 1.5 children per woman. This is raising fears among EU governments they will not be able to finance pensions systems for ageing European population. Therefore, man power must be imported to collect taxes for future pensioners.
Iris Azzopardi
Jul 30th 2008, 14:46
@Joseph Caruana
It is MSF themselves who say that they work where health structures are insufficient or non-existant. Are you saying that MSF are constantly straying outside their 'territory'?
We have to choose. If we want to be part of the developed world (EU, OECD, etc), we cannot at the same time behave like a Third World nation going around with a begging bowl in our hands.
Joanne Micallef
Jul 30th 2008, 14:30
Well as long as MFS don’t start making demands and unfairly criticise our country and the way we are handling this crises, their help is very much welcome.
Most of these illegal immigrants have serious diseases, some would need immediate attention in order to stop any infections spreading between their peers. This causes a huge strain on our medical sector, therefore it is not a question of not having the state of the art medical service, but more about getting the help we need to offer that service to everyone that needs it.
L Galea
Jul 30th 2008, 13:03
The only help they should provide is to take the ILLEGAL immigrants from Malta to France since they were also one of the colonizing powers of Africa.
B Borg
Jul 30th 2008, 10:53
I´m very happy to see MSF helping with the illegal immigration invasion. However, I strongly recommend them to tread extremely careful with regards to Malta´s own political affairs - should they feel the need for our government to fork out any more taxpayers money towards illegal immigrants, they should either shut up or provide the money themselves or source from the EU, or take the illegal immigrants with them away from Malta.
graham holme
Jul 30th 2008, 10:49
Why not have beauticians,hairdressers,manicurists ect on hand to pamper to their every whim.Might as well go the whole way.Whilst your at it, follow the lead of the U.K.Have fully furnished flats,houses ready for the illegal immigrants occupancy plus free car(B.M W.or similar)can not have them catching a bus to go pick up their social security benefits.
Caroline Gatt
Jul 30th 2008, 10:29
On the contrary, I think it's excellent that MSF have agreed to come and help out. Having an independent organisation participating in the operations that work with illegal immigrants might mean that there will be less opportunity for abuse on the part of Maltese authorities. In addition MSF will also be sharing their expertise with us and the people who work with immigrants.
Joseph Caruana
Jul 30th 2008, 10:27
What kind of warped reasoning is that?
MSF is also assisting the governments of Greece and Italy to cope with the influx of illegal immigrants. Does that mean that Italy's and Greece's medical facilities are lacking as well.
I doubt it.
To me this is more of a political stunt to attract more international attention to Malta's problem.
Iris Azzopardi
Jul 30th 2008, 09:23
I am speechless. After all the hoopla about 'state-of-the-art' medical facilities, our Government feels compelled to call in MSF.
This is what the MSF website has to say ubder 'About MSF"
"In countries where health structures are insufficient or even non-existant, MSF collaborates with authorities ,,,,,..to provide assistance" (http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?objectid=130CB2BA-E018-0C72-097046C7C42A8573&component=toolkit.indexArticle&method=full_html)
Have we lost all self-respect and dignity? Since when do EU and OECD countries call in MSF?