The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has urged the authorities to introduce chemotherapy treatment at Gozo general hospital, removing the need for cancer patients to be brought to Boffa Hospital in Floriana.

In a letter to Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, MUMN president Paul Pace said nurses in Gozo could be easily trained to administer chemotherapy, and the purchase of the container of the medicine would be a one-off cost.

He pointed out that during treatment, patients were only assisted by a junior houseman in Boffa Hospital, and the union felt Gozo hospital doctors were able to do such work.

The treatment required far less resources than Renal Dialysis services, which were being successfully provided at Gozo General Hospital.

Mr Pace said around 40 patients were on the list for chemotherapy. All were weak, in pain and tired. Any action to ease their hardship should be taken in hand immediately.

In a statement, the MUMN said its letter was sent to the minister and copied to the prime minister on August 25 but had not even been acknowledged yet.

The Health Ministry in a reaction said it never received any letter from the MUMN and neither had the OPM. However the introduction of a chemotherapy service was under consideration. The matter was not as simple as the MUMN made it out to be, with an important issue being the transportation of the medicine because of its shelf life.