Fenech Adami spends night in hospital

President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami, 77, was hospitalised yesterday afternoon after fainting while having lunch at a restaurant.

Dr Fenech Adami’s heartbeat weakened, slowing down and causing him to temporarily lose consciousness, according to his son, MP Beppe Fenech Adami.

Family hopes to celebrate together

Mater Dei Hospital described the former Prime Minister’s condition as stable and said he would be kept overnight for observation.

This morning, doctors are expected to decide whether Dr Fenech Adami needs a pacemaker to control his heartbeat, according to his son.

Inserting a pacemaker is considered to be a minor operation but doctors will also take into consideration Dr Fenech Adami’s medical history and his age.

“We were having lunch in a restaurant with (IT Minister) Austin Gatt, (President Emeritus) Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and others when he collapsed. It happened so fast,” Dr Fenech Adami’s son said.

Earlier, Dr Fenech Adami had attended the funeral of Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech’s mother.

He was in his usual combative spirit while in hospital, according to his son. “If it were up to him we should have continued eating lunch.”

Dr Fenech Adami’s family is hoping he will celebrate Christmas at home on Sunday but it all depends on what doctors decide today.

Dr Fenech Adami underwent a heart bypass operation some years ago and subsequently underwent minor medical interventions to correct heart-related problems.

Both the Nationalist and the Labour parties wished Dr Fenech Adami a speedy recovery.

Dr Fenech Adami was elected Nationalist Party leader in 1977, succeeding George Borg Olivier. He led the party for 27 years.

He first became Prime Minister in 1987 and led the country until 2004, bar a 22-month interlude between 1996 and 1998 when the PN was in opposition.

After winning the 2003 election and securing Malta’s EU membership, Dr Fenech Adami stepped down in 2004, making way for Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

He was appointed President in that same year for a five-year term.