The Health Ministry this afternoon denied that Mater Dei Hospital had refused treatment to a three-month old baby, as claimed in other sections of the media.

It said that on admission, the baby was registered under her father's name, and since he is not Maltese, the family was billed.

The family refused to pay and registered the baby under her Maltese mother's name.

The baby was given the required care without charge.

Labour MP Silvio Parnis in a parliamentary question yesterday asked the health minister why the baby was not seen to at hospital, even though her father had been in Malta for 20 years.

The minister replied that the name given by Mr Parnis could not be found on the Patient Administration System and there were insufficient details in the question for the facts to be established. He said the parents should contact the hospital's Customer Care section for clarification and assistance.