US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has thanked Malta for its “significant role and generous contributions” in support of the Libyan people. In a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, Secretary Clinton said Malta acted swiftly to provide assistance to more than 20,000 evacuees, including US citizens. She also referred to emergency landings made by several Nato jets since the conflict began, as well as Malta’s cooperation on the maritime embargo.
“I have been honoured to work with you to resolve this crisis and look forward to further cooperation as Libya completes its democratic transition,” Secretary Clinton said.
Meanwhile, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has welcomed Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s declaration that Mater Dei’s ITU is now full.
Dr Gonzi had made the comment at a debate on Malta’s role on the rebuilding of Libya, organised by The Times. He had added that non-critical patients could still be catered for.
Last Tuesday plans to transfer a group of wounded Libyans to Malta had to be shelved due to lack of space. The MUMN said that both ITU and Mater Dei Hospital were both at maximum capacity even before the first Libyan patients were admitted. The union said the Prime Minister was “courageous” for recognising the country’s limitations.
However, the union commented that while the Maltese government went to extreme measures to assist patients from Libya, it was a pity that the same political commitment was not extended to Gozitan patients who needed chemotherapy and had to go to Boffa Hospital in Malta for such treatment on a regular basis.