The statement by the former head of Mater Dei’s Oncology Department that oncology services in Gozo meant a poorer quality service was an insult to Gozitan health professionals, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said.

In a statement, it said that it had waged a three-year campaign for such services to become available in Gozo in a bid to ease the suffering of Gozitan patients who had to travel back and forth for chemotherapy.

After three years and in spite of advice to the contrary by the Oncology Department, the government took the courageous decision to provide the chemotherapy services in Gozo, MUMN said.

It said Gozitan health professionals were capable of being trained and obtaining the same experience as their Maltese counterparts.  Moreover, the Gozo General Hospital had better facilities than Boffa Hospital.