Nurses union say bringing wounded Libyans to Malta is ‘not a rightful decision’

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has called on the government to seek other countries to take up the wounded from Libya, arguing that brining patients from Libya to the ITU at Mater Dei “is not a rightful decision.”

On Saturday, two injured Libyans believed to be suffering from gunshot wounds were brought to Malta for medical treatment. Two ambulances were later transferred the injured to Mater Dei Hospital.

While acknowledging the government’s “good intentions” to help the wounded in the Libyan conflict, MUMN president Paul Pace appealed to the government not to overlook the hospital’s bed and nurses shortages.

“Bringing patients from Libya to ITU – the only ITU in Malta which its 20 beds are continuously occupied by local residents – is not a rightful decision,”  Pace said.

Coupled with the nurses’ shortage, the bed shortage at Mater Dei Hospital would have a direct impact on the nursing ration of all the patients in the ITU.

“According to international standards, there should be one nurse per patient at ITU. This is hardly adhered to as normally one nurse would have three patients. Placing extra beds in ITU for the wounded in Libya would have a direct impact on the nursing ratio.”

Moreover, the MUMN said that patients from Libya would have a direct impact on surgery, hospital acquired infections and bed availability.

While admitting that the government is facing a difficult situation, the MUMN appealed to the government not to bring patients who will eventually end up having no nurse or equipment for their care.

“MUMN is appealing to the government to recognise the limitations at Mater Dei, its bed shortages, and also, to seek other counties with more resources to take up the wounded from Libya,” it said.