Call issued for medical services in detention centres

The Armed Forces of Malta have issued a call for tenders for the services of two doctors and two nurses to work with illegal immigrants in detention centres.

A spokesman for the AFM said the centres had pressing medical needs and the doctors and nurses will be replacing the present four, whose contract will expire in the coming weeks.

The number of illegal immigrant arrivals has reached new heights this year but the spokesman said the call for tenders has no connection with this fact and is aimed at providing continuity in medical care.

The present medical staff costs the government an annual total of €81,458 in salaries but the wages of the next four will be established once the tenders are adjudicated, the spokesman said.

The medical staff will be part of the service provided within the detention centres during the week, working between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Their salaries are financed through national funds but are subject to the approval of a project proposal for co-financing submitted to the European Refugee Fund.

Moreover, an agreement has been reached between the government and Medicins Sans Frontiers for the latter to provide first intervention screening of the immigrants when brought ashore. This helps to identify critical cases and vulnerable people.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com