The Nationalist Party yesterday branded as “unacceptable” the manner in which it claimed the State broadcaster was trying to mute its message and accused it of “manipulating” facts to serve as the government’s “gatekeeper”.

In a formal complaint sent to Public Broadcasting Services news editor Reno Bugeja, the PN referred to Wednesday’s parliamentary session in which tempers flared over the death of an 83-year-old man at Mater Dei Hospital. The elderly man had died of heart attack while being treated in a hospital corridor.

Health Minister Konrad Mizzi rejected claims that the death was the result of negligence from hospital authorities. In its complaint, the PN yesterday noted that during the debate, several ministers were continuously shouting and hurling insults at Opposition MPs. However, PBS tried to downplay all this by stating that there had been “some interruptions” during the debate, the PN said.

It also pointed out that a request made by the Opposition leader, who at one point sought the Speaker’s protection, had been completely ignored. The PN also cried foul over the fact that in its news bulletin, PBS avoided the use of the word “corridor” but instead used the term “ward extension”. This was tantamount to manipulation in order to defend the government’s interests.

It added that the Opposition was bound to expose the lack of dignity in which patients were being treated at Mater Dei. In view of this, the PN requested PBS to broadcast a fresh report of the parliamentary session to give a true account of the debate.

This was the second such incident in recent weeks, as Mater Dei wards are being overwhelmed by the seasonal spike in admissions. As a result hospital authorities decided to convert corridors and common areas to makeshift wards in an attempt to cope with the overcrowding.

Last week, Opposition health spokeswoman Claudette Buttigieg fuelled controversy after claiming that an 83-year-old woman had died in a corridor due to a lack of equipment. Her claims were subsequently denied by Mater Dei CEO Ivan Falzon, who said that although the corridor was not as comfortable as a ward, it was modified to cater for patients, and had been furnished with all necessary equipment.

Subsequently, the government issued a statement quoting one of the woman’s relatives that all attempts had been made to save her life.