Cabinet allows minister, parliamentary secretary to continue limited medical duties

The Cabinet has authorised Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela to continue carrying out a limited number of surgical operations within the public health service, on an unpaid basis.

The arrangement, which mirrors a decision taken in the previous legislature, allows Abela, who is a surgeon by profession, to perform a restricted number of hours determined by medical need.

The Cabinet said Abela’s clinical expertise remains necessary within the public health service, both to support patients with serious medical conditions and to assist in the training of new medical professionals.

Under the decision, his involvement will be strictly limited in scope and time, and will be carried out free of charge.

In a separate decision, the Cabinet also authorised Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista, a medical doctor, to continue following up on patients with serious conditions at St Vincent de Paul long-term care facility.

His duties will similarly be carried out without payment and for a limited number of hours.

Both decisions were taken in line with Article 7.2 of the Code of Ethics for Ministers.

The two officials were asked to leave the Cabinet meeting while the matters concerning them were discussed.