MAM, the doctors' union, said today that while it was generally not against Malta treating a limited number of casualties from Libya, numbers must be contained not to compromise the local service.

It said that handling a limited number of casualties, while stretching resources and increasing workload, would send a message of solidarity to the  war torn neighbouring country.  

The MUMN nurses union in a statement three days ago said no patients should be brought to Malta from Libya unless there were sufficient staff to care for them. It said both the hospital’s limitations and the shortage of human resources should be taken into consideration.

Bringing patients from Libya to Malta’s 20-bed Intensive Therapeutic Unit, which was always full, was not the right decision.

According to international standards, there should be one nurse per patient at ITU. This was hardly adhered to normally as it was closer to three patients per nurse. Placing extra beds in ITU for the wounded in Libya would continue to have an impact on the nursing ratio. Patients from Libya would also have a direct impact on surgery, hospital acquired infections and bed availability.

Seven Libyans are currently being treated in Malta, as well as a Maltese who was also injured there.