The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has warned that it can no longer accept the situation of overcrowding at the Maternity Department of Mater Dei Hospital.

It said that the department is suffering a shortage of beds and midwives, and that is impacting on the level of care.

The union said it would explain its position at a press conference today.

It was revealed on Saturday that four sets of triplets have been born over the past five weeks and a fifth set is on the way leading to a situation where these multiple births, brought about by IVF, are clogging the hospital’s ward for premature babies, the Neonatal Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The ward, that has a capacity of 18 beds, currently has 28 babies.

The Health Department said it had augmented staff and equipment.

Two babies died after the infection suffered by the mother, and an investigation is under way. The department said there were no grounds for alarm.

The MUMN had previously also called for proper planning of induced deliveries so as not to crowd the obstetrics ward. The Health Department has said that protocols were being reviewed.

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