Updated, adds reaction by Konrad Mizzi - The doctors' union said today that it was allowing two weeks for talks with the government on a range of problems, before taking industrial action.
The Medical Association of Malta warned it would order strike action unless progress was made in talks on a shoratage of doctors and consultants at Mater Dei Hospital and health centres, cost-cutting at Mater Dei, and the privatisation of services at Karin Grech rehabilitation hospital, St Luke's and Gozo, among other issues. The privatisation agreement is expected to be signed tomorrow.
MAM secretary general Martin Balzan said an industrial dispute was formally declared today.
He said the association would keep patients' interests in mind, but its industrial action would include all departments of the health service in Malta and Gozo.
He said the association had nothing against investment, but it was being kept in the dark about the government's plans.
Privatisation he said, could create problems in that it was based on profit. The association feared that private operators of the public health service would hire doctors on their own terms without having to follow the collective agreement which the association had signed with the government. The association also feared that pressure would be put on doctors to provide treatment in a way which was profitable.
Dr Balzan disputed government claims that waiting lists were going down, except, he said, in the case of ophthalmology.
KONRAD MIZZI REACTION
Let’s engage if needs be twice, three times a week- Konrad Mizzi
In a reaction while speaking in Parliament, Health and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said the government would engage with the trade unions.
“Let’s engage if needs be twice, three times a week and let’s address the problems,” the minister said.
However, he said issues should not be mixed up but be dealt with individually. He was sure there were solutions for all issues.
Workers, he said, would continue to enjoy the same benefits, and if possible they would be improved.
On the privatisation of services in Gozo and St Luke’s, Dr Mizzi said the government was committed to the project and would see it through.
“The people deserve high standards at least as high as at Mater Dei,” he said, adding that talks would be held throughout the process with the trade unions.
MUMN WANTS END TO AGGRESSION ON NURSES
Meanwhile the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said there was at least one case of violence against nurses in Mt Carmel Hospital per month. Apart from physical harm, nurses were suffering trauma and tension, it said.
It called on the authorities to remedy the situation.