The doctors' association is "likely" to go ahead with industrial action and shut down half of Malta's health centres on Monday after yesterday's talks with the government proved unsuccessful.

The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) is insisting on administrative changes being made in health centres to ensure that the 40 doctors who work there can cope with the workload.

However, association president Martin Balzan said the changes proposed by the government during yesterday's meeting would not improve the current situation.

"As things stand, the MAM is preparing an official list of directives with the aim of starting industrial action in health centres as from Monday," Dr Balzan said.

Although he still saw the possibility of the matter being resolved without resort to action, he said his hopes were dwindling. When asked about the proposals tabled yesterday, Dr Balzan said he preferred not to divulge them in the remote hope that the talks would carry on even though a date for another meeting has not been set.

A government spokesman did not wish to comment, adding that discussions were still open even if without a follow-up date.

On Monday the association issued directives under which doctors at the Qormi, Rabat and Cottonera health centres will report for work at other clinics from next Monday while the Gżira health centre will only be open half the day.

The union is complaining that it has been calling on the authorities to concentrate human resources in fewer clinics as a short-term measure to alleviate the shortage of doctors but that no such action has been taken.

Social Policy Minister John Dalli has acknowledged the shortage but insisted doctors need to improve productivity through better work practices.