MEPA denies Labour claims on Hexagon’s medical reports

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has denied claims by Labour MP Leo Brincat that scientific studies commissioned by MEPA were designed to steer away from pointing an accusing finger at the main waste oil polluters near Hexagon House, in Marsa.

The shadow environment said in parliament that when the assigned medical specialists appointed by the Authority were shoring up MEPA and examining staff members complaining of health hazards caused by the smells at Hexagon House, their medical reports contrasted sharply with those of independent specialists.

MEPA said the claims were unfounded and that it had agreed to engage and refer its employees to specialists according to the type of ailments reported by the staff – ear-nose-throat, skin and eyes – following discussions with the unions. 

“MEPA made arrangements with a local hospital where employees can be referred to appropriate specialists for examination according to the nature of the ailment. The hospital has various specialists for dermatological and eye ailments. These specialists are providing a same day service to employees complaining of ailments,” MEPA said.

MEPA also reached an agreement with an ENT specialist who agreed to provide his services every day of the week.  Although the Authority is paying for the services it said it had no reason to interfere in the work of the specialists. “Therefore any talk of ‘independent’ experts is baseless and injurious, not least in respect to these specialists,” MEPA said.

The authority said that while employees have the liberty to seek a second opinion, it was not unusual for professional opinions to differ. “In fact two cases that were referred for a second opinion, did result in different opinions. To put this down to medical examiners ‘shoring up’ MEPA is totally unfounded and uncalled for. “

MEPA also said it had no say on the outcome of scientific studies it commissioned through the services of a chemical expert as nominated by unions. “The reports clearly identified that the air quality was impaired due to the operations and processes from the oil installations nearby.

“No scientific expert would point at any single source if there were potentially more than one source causing the bad odours. MEPA took action against industrial operators, who as a result of their operations were causing detrimental effect on air quality at the Marsa Menqa area.”