The shadow minister for health sad today that decisive action was needed by the government to stop abuses at the Addolorata and other state cemeteries.

Speaking in Parliament on the adjournment, Claudette Buttigieg referred to comments she made in October when she revealed a number of abuses. The government subsequently suspended two senior officials and called an inquiry.
It was important, she said, that this inquiry was continued and was accompanied by change.

One of the most serious abuses she said, was how graves had been illegally dug and then sold off at exorbitant prices, mostly at the Addolorata but also in other cemeteries, including Braxia.

But there were other abuses. Among them was how amputated limbs were allowed to accumumate instead of being properly disposed of immediately, in what was a feast for rats.

Hygenic standards were not being observed, such as in the way how workers did not wear gloves and did not replace their uniforms after cleaning out graves. Furthermore used coffins were not being burnt but were allowed to accumulate near the back gate.

She asked whether it was true that in Mosta, human remains were kept in public graves for a fee, public graves were transferred to private ownership, and that similar abuses were committed at Burmarrad and Żebbuġ cemeteries.

There were questions, she said, about how officials claimed to be working overtime on weekends, but people were asked to go on week days if they needed their service.

She said she had also been told of abuses by workers who charged questionable amounts for services, such as cleaning graves. In one case, a charge of €100 was made when the government only charged €15. And no receipts were issued.

The government needed to take action out of respect for the deceased and the dignity of society in general, Ms Buttigieg said.