10 years ago - The Times

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Payment proposal for hospital services

A Church commission yesterday proposed that the government should charge a nominal fee on medicines presently distributed free and should also levy hospitalisation fees on those holding private health insurance. The recommendations are part of a long list published by the Curia – which include revising the minimum wage and increasing parental leave – in reaction to the government’s pre-Budget document.

In its proposals on health, the Justice and Peace Commission also proposed that a pro forma invoice should be issued with medicines highlighting the cost to the government and the benefit being received by the beneficiary. Furthermore, it said surgery should be outsourced to private hospitals as a means to reducing the waiting list at Mater Dei Hospital.

Ministry orders probe of school transport fees

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has asked the Office for Fair Competition to investigate complaints of steep increases in school transport fees. The Finance Ministry said Mr Fenech had noted complaints about transport costs made in the media over recent days.

25 years ago - The Times

Monday, September 27, 1993

Sant criticised for past stand on violence

Former Labour whip Wenzu Mintoff impugned Labour leader Alfred Sant’s anti-violence credentials when he said that on one occasion Dr Sant had sided with a section of the Labour Party which wanted to resort to violence in the power station issue.

Dr Mintoff, chairman of Altenattiva Demokratika, was speaking at an AD public forum in Sliema, on Saturday evening, when Dr Sant and Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami took part.

It was, for AD, a breakthrough to get both the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition to participate in one of their activities. AD sees their participation as giving their movement political recognition.

The subject of violence was raised when Dr Sant criticised the way the Commission Against Corruption functioned.

He stressed there should be a system which investigated corruption as it happened, not after. There should also be a public accounts committee to oversee government spending.

AD member Arnold Cassola, speaking from among the audience, said he liked Dr Sant’s idea, but it was a pity that Dr Sant had not thought of it 10 years ago when he was president of the (ruling) Labour Party.

Half a century ago - Times of Malta

Friday, September 27, 1968

Noted missionary bishop celebrates golden jubilee

The veteran Capuchin Missionary Bishop, Mgr Francis Xavier Fenech OFM Cap, the first bishop o f Jhansi, who hails from Floriana, will celebrate his golden jubilee on October 1. The actual day of the jubilee was May 25, 1968, but solemn external celebrations do not take place on that date due to the scorching heat of May.

His Lordship was born in Floriana on March 17, 1892. After the secular and spiritual studies he joined the Capuchin Order on October 10, 1911. Ordained priest on April 25, 1923, he worked vigorously for the salvation of souls in the Zaroli mission fields of the then Daman diocese at present in the Baroda diocese, and then in Shampura in Madhya Pradesh.

In March 1929, he arrived in Jhansi where, in later years was laid the foundation of his future diocese. He was appointed Superior Regular on August 26, 1938, and then Administrator of Allhabad, Lucknow, Jhansi and Gorakhpur from 1942 to 1945. He worked earnestly and zealously together with his three colleagues who also belong to the Capuchins of the Maltese province.

On January 21, 1946, he was appointed Prefect Apostolic of Jhansi and after eight years of arduous labour, on July 18, 1954, he was appointed the first Bishop of Jhansi.

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