The Social Policy Ministry has ordered an inquiry into alleged abuse on elderly persons in an Old People's Home, the minister, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said.

She did not reveal when, where or how the abuse took place, but said no form of abuse could be tolerated.

Ms Coleiro Preca was speaking at an activity called Serħan il-Moħħ fil-Komunitajiet, held to mark the day against abuse of the elderly.

She noted that according to international figures, between one and five per cent of elderly persons suffered some form of abuse or abandonment.

Malta was no exception, and she referred to a case of psychological abuse on a widower who lived with his daughter and another case of alleged abuse on elderly persons in a home for the elderly. She said an inquiry has been called in the latter case.

The minister praised the initiative held in Zejtun for the past three years where children adopted elderly persons, visiting them and seeing to their needs.

PN REACTION

In a statement, the Nationalist Party wondered how the minister had said abuse on the elderly could not be tolerated, and yet people who were convicted of such abuse had benefited from the amnesty granted by the Labour government.

In contrast, in an amnesty granted by the Sant government, those who abused of the elderly had not benefited.