Police investigating Gozo chemo toxicity deaths

The Police have confirmed with MaltaToday that Nationalist MP Franco Debono's request to investigate claims made by oncologist Stephen Brincat that cancer patients died from chemotherapy toxicity in Gozo has been received and the case is being investigated.  

This week Debono wrote to Police Commissioner John Rizzo, calling on him to investigate the claims made today by Brincat that cancer patients who were treated in Gozo's General Hospital, had died from chemotherapy toxicity, because the treatment was carried out without the necessary expertise.

Contracted by MaltaToday, the Police have confirmed that the "letter has been received and the case is being investigated."

Debono said that as an MP he felt "concerned" over the claims made by Brincat and added that an investigation into possible manslaughter charges through negligent responsibility under Chapter 225 of the Criminal Code was "urgent" and justice had to be done.

Yesterday, a meeting was held between the former oncology department chief Stephen Brincat, and the health authorities. In a statement, the health ministry declared that Brincat's allegations on two cases of chemo-toxicity deaths had occurred over 15 years ago.

However, the health ministry also said that it will not be taking allegations by Brincat to the police, until it makes its own verifications as part of an internal inquiry by the health department.

A health ministry spokesperson told MaltaToday that the ministry, in conjunction with a number of other government departments, is currently in the process of investigating year by year what actually took place in the last 15 years and determine whether Brincat's allegations are true or false

Brincat claims he had repeatedly advised the ministry over the chemotherapy administered by inexperienced staff at the Gozo hospital, which he says led to the death of cancer patients.

He also said he resisted repeated attempts by the Health Ministry to introduce a chemotherapy service in Gozo "due to the lack of expertise" in the area and did it in the interest of patients.

But he denied claims by the ministry that he hadn't informed them of this situation. "The investigations are in their early stages but once verified, the ministry will act accordingly," the health ministry spokesperson said of Brincat's claims. "However, every health professional is duty-bound to report such cases so if Brincat knew about the situation he should have reported it the minute he was aware that the deaths were occurring."

"After this experience I did not allow chemo to be given in Gozo, resisting repeated attempts by the Health Ministry to introduce the service without the necessary expertise and resources."

Brincat however did emphasise that the deaths were a result of lack of experience and not due to sheer negligence. Brincat stated that the cases happened 15 years ago and he stuck to his guns to the day he resigned, repeatedly advising against chemotherapy treatment in Gozo.