PM hopes for solution to health dispute

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning hoped for a solution to the dispute between the health sector and doctors for the benefit of the weak and sick.

Dr Gonzi, was speaking during his party’s general council which unanimously approved a 50-point manifesto for the EP elections.

Dr Gonzi said that disputes were not the end of the world and whenever there was one, the parties involved sat around a table and tried to find solution.

But it was worrying when this lack of agreement spread and started to hit weak and sick people.

In such circumstances, everyone should be able to take a step or two back to find solutions.

The health sector, Dr Gonzi said, was sacrosanct for the government who had a big admiration for doctors and nurses. It was true there was a shortage but the problem was they were so good that they found employment abroad.

There were problems with waiting lists and emergencies and the government’s proposal was to work closely with the private sector until solutions were found.

“We have to keep in mind that patients have to always remain the most important factor,” he said.

On the current situation, Dr Gonzi called to those who were in danger of losing their job not to lose confidence. The global economy, he said, was starting to recuperate.

The Prime Minister said that although some people were worried because of the deficit, he was proud to be using taxes to defend employment.

Financial Services were still doing well and although there was a slowdown in the construction industry, the situation was expected to improve due to the big capital projects.

Tourism was very difficult to predict and he called on hotel and restaurant operators to make sure they were offering value for money.