Five children arrive from Libya for treatment at Mater Dei
Five Libyan children arrived in Malta for treatment at Mater Dei Hospital on a flight from Benghazi this evening.
On their arrival, the children, aged between four months and five years, were immediately taken to Mater Dei where they will receive care as part of the country's humanitarian assistance to the Libyan people.
The children could not be given the specialised care they require in their country, because of the current political situation.
Four have congenital problems while the other needs bone treatment.
The children are accompanied by family members. Senior official of the National Transitional Council arrived on the same flight for talks with the Maltese government.
They were welcomed at Malta International Airport by Health Minister Joseph Cassar.
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33 Comments
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Mr Alex Ellul
Jul 7th 2011, 13:05
These are five children, just five very sick childrenneeding medical care not availabke intheir country. We made a big fussrecetly over a dog, and rightly so, because it was ill treated by some stupid human being. Now we have these five sick kids. Do we look the other way? No way. I know that the few complaining here are just that; just a few. I'm sure that the great majority of Maltese welcome these sick children with open arms and I just hope and pray to God that they return home soon nursed back to full health. God be with you.
Raymond Sammut
Jul 7th 2011, 10:25
Many commenters here are complaining about the situation at Mater Dei.
Whatever the situation is at Mater Dei, these five children just arriving from Benghazi have got absolutely nothing to do with the situation. The issue, here, is not the situation at Mater Dei. It is totally something else.
Those who are not happy about the way Mater Dei is being run: please have the courtesy and take the issue directly with Health Minister Joseph Cassar. You don't have to wait for children to arrive from abroad to vent your anger with the Minister.
Those commenting here and kicking a fuss don't seem to be aware of the scale of the national disaster Libyan children have found themselves in; and through no fault of the loved ones who accompany them. These are only five children among several scores still stranded in different parts of Libya.
These five children have landed on Malta by invitation from the Maltese government. Several other Libyan children in similar circumstances have been flown to other neighboring countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and Italy. That's what civilized countries do: they assist their neighbor when tragedy strikes.
A Cuschieri
Jul 7th 2011, 10:22
These are people in difficulty and Malta is helping them ... and yet you get people who argue against this? They live in a war-struck country where they cannot get the help they need - it's a health matter!!! Do we still have a concience lying around somewhere?
Mr ray borg
Jul 7th 2011, 09:09
Welcome Dear Libyan friends, you have always welcomed us while in Libya especially you Libyans have a soft spot for us Maltese and I know well what I'm saying after spending nearly 30 years working and living in Libya and I'm intend to keep doing so once the situation is good enough to return back to my second home where I know that I am much welcomed. I hope that your dear kids will be well soon and hope that if in need you will us for our help. I can understand quite well what you're going through and I sencerely sympatise with you. Wishing you all health, peace and happiness.
Alex Cutajar
Jul 7th 2011, 09:07
Mhux ahjar noholqu servizz sura lil Maltin flok nghinu il- min qed iresqilna gwerra ma saqajna?
Mr ray borg
Jul 7th 2011, 13:59
Vera li ghandna bzonn servizz ahjar pero nhosni nisthi li fostna il maltien ghad ghandna nies bhallekk. Ghandhom xi tort dawn it tfal jew inti ukoll ghadek tifel u ma tafx xi jfissu l-ulied ??????????????
Zeza Borg
Jul 7th 2011, 08:55
Hospitable Malta,living up yo its name,WELCOME.
Malta ħanina, ħobża u sardina
Mr Mario P. Sciberras
Jul 7th 2011, 08:52
Has the minister nothing better to do??
Carmel Xuereb
Jul 7th 2011, 10:54
kieku wiehed minnhom ibnek, ma tridx min jghinu?
Elton Vassallo
Jul 7th 2011, 08:33
I don't believe that they just came for the children!! Lil min tridu tbellaw ir-ross bil-labbra ghid!! Ahjar naraw min gie fuq dak l-ajruplan....5 Libyan children,,, 50 other people to accompany them
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 7th 2011, 08:16
Of course we should help them. They helped us in our time of need, now it's pay back time.
Mr Joe Gatt
Jul 7th 2011, 10:48
Not saying we should not help out, no way, we are Christians, are`nt we?
Some are saying we should help out as they helped us in the past, sort of scratch my back, I scratch yours attitude.
What if they did not help us, then what? How about our Christian Values?
But I would like to remind you that it was Gaddafi, our Brother, who helped us in time of need.
You know that JaaaQQ, `yuukk` fellow, to some.
Some may find it so hard to admit? There is an adjective for this attitude, really. I`ll just let you have a guess.
Just stating facts.
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 7th 2011, 11:42
@ Joe Gatt,
I was not implying about Gaddaffi's so called help. There were many Maltese living and working in Libya also during King Idris's time.
We do have a long history with Libya, hopefully after these unhappy times for them, we could carry on where we left off.
Corinne Vella
Jul 7th 2011, 21:46
Gaddafi didn't 'help' Malta. He bought its allegiance.
Mr Alex Ellul
Jul 7th 2011, 07:39
Is there anyway how the public can help these children? Do their families require accommodation, as we Maltese would need when we seek medical care overseas? Financial help maybe?
Kenneth Galea
Jul 7th 2011, 08:57
It is clear that the Government is going to fork out all the money to accommodate these people who have NO right for free medical treatment in Malta. This is of course coming out of our tax contributions. The situation at Mater Dei is diabolical with huge waiting lists, the A&E deaprtment almost on its knees and life saving pills regularly out of stock. Minister Joe Cassar charity begins at home and you should focus on improving services for the benefit of the Maltese citizens and the ones who are entitled to use the services at Mater Dei.
This is what I call rough justice. And all the bloggers who play the Saints on here I ask them to make a trip to A&E with a loved one in pain and they have to wait a whole day while Joe Cassar is accommodating the foreigners who do not qualify for free medical treatment in Malta.
Colin Camilleri
Jul 7th 2011, 07:15
I understand that we are dealing with children and we should help on humanitarian terms but........
I cannot understand why these people get immediate treatment whilst Maltese citizens, including children, must wait months if not years to get treatment in their own country. Some (if not many) have no option but either go to a private hospital or go abroad for treatment.
Is this fair? Is this social justice? I am really losing hope drastically in my country and its politicians!
Ramon Mangion
Jul 7th 2011, 08:38
Stop Moaning.... Imagine your self in a war striken country, and your children or family requires help.
Alex Cutajar
Jul 7th 2011, 09:09
Well said.. not to mentions all the problems they're giving our society. They have no respect to us.
Alex Cutajar
Jul 7th 2011, 09:13
@ Ramon. I would have been respectable to the people who helped me. Mhux umbghad jittrattawk ta hanzir.
Corinne Vella
Jul 7th 2011, 21:48
Alex Cutajar - I don't know what sort of people you mix with, but the difference between the Libyans I know and have met is that they are far more courteous than the average Maltese person.
Alex Bugeja
Jul 7th 2011, 05:32
That's how tax payers money should be spent..HELP THE CHILDREN...not giving millions to Greece.
Elizabeth Vella Caruana
Jul 6th 2011, 22:35
Compliments to the skilled, hospitable and caring nature of true Maltese. I meet people in Canada who greatly remember being hosted for 9 months by Maltese families in Sliema at the times of Idi Amin in Uganda. Those are days people, who temporarily are called refugees, never forget. Compliments Malta.
Mr Terry Gosden
Jul 6th 2011, 21:54
Louise Vella:
Have you nothing to say? cost / culture / work / mine / not yours / keep off. isolationism ...............
no comment.
Mr Joe Gatt
Jul 7th 2011, 09:22
Mr Terry Gosden
I hope that we shall always be in a position to help out, but I tend to agree, early last year I was in cronic back pain,and had to be taken to the Hospital.
Guess what, no Ambulance availabe, when eventually I made it there I had to wait at the emergency for over 7 hours, only to be discharged with an advise to take some pills and rest.
Presently I am on the waiting list to be seen by a Specialist, next October, if I should require medical intervention it will take years.
Nothing wrong in helping others. it makes us look good after all, does`nt it?
But is it good to neglect and forget all about your OWN??
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Jul 6th 2011, 21:39
Hallas Gahan u pilloli out of stock ghall maltin, nies fil kurituri u waiting list ma tispicca qatt. Basta nilghaqu il barrani
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Jul 7th 2011, 08:50
Disgusting comments MS not worthy of the traditional hospitality which mediterranean people especially Maltese have always extended to the sick and suffering . The comment is also in very bad taste because the Libyans are our neighbours and have before the current turmoil provided work and business to the Maltese. You shame us all by such comments.
Corinne Vella
Jul 7th 2011, 10:22
Did those five children steal your medication? You are not making sense.
Mr Joe Gatt
Jul 7th 2011, 10:53
Corinne Vella
Most probably the illegal Imigrants did, dear Corinne.
Carmel Xuereb
Jul 7th 2011, 10:56
@ malcolmseychell. jien ma niddejjaq xejn li mit-taxxa li nhallas jien jinghataw kura dawn it-tfal. u vera gahan ta inti!!
Martin Zammit
Jul 7th 2011, 11:02
I wonder if Mr Seychell would have commented in the same manner if these children were either Americans or Canadians or from anywhere accept from African or Arab countries as he seem to be brainwashed.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Alfred Falzon
Jul 7th 2011, 11:13
@Malcolm Seychell
Very typical of you!
It's good that the great majority of the Maltese take your remarks with a pinch of salt!
You are a shame to Malta's traditional hospitality, more so when this involves SICK INNOCENT CHILDREN in need of urgent attention!
As regards your last comment, at least we are not lackeys of a tyrant butchering his people!
Corinne Vella
Jul 7th 2011, 21:45
Joe Gatt
I share your concern about unnecessary use of medical services and supplies. We part company over who is to blame. Several people use polyclinic dispensaries like children in a sweetshop and many turn up to the A&E department unnecessarily. I note that most are Maltese.