Doctors' industrial action to hit four health centres

The Medical Association of Malta has approved directives which will lead to the closure of half of Malta's health centres from Monday in protest over a shortage of staff.

In a meeting late today, the association's council gave the go-ahead for the closure of the Rabat, Qormi and Cospicua health centres. The Gzira health centre will only open in the morning.

Doctors on duty at these centres will register for work at the island's other three health centres in a bid to concentrate resources.

The dispute revolves around a shortage of health centre doctors who are having to treat numerous patients and sometimes are also at the receiving end of both verbal and physical abuse.