Updated | 45,492 operations in one year at Mater Dei Hospital

Adds reaction by Labour

During last year a total of 45,492 operations were carried out at Mater Dei Hospital, marking an increase of 1,745 operations over the previous year. When compared to the last operating year at St Luke's Hospital, this also means an increase of 12,000 operations. 

While visiting the National Blood Transfusion Service, health minister Joe Cassar said that even though these figures don't include operations carried out at private hospitals, thanks to the Public Private Partnership with various hospitals, waiting lists are being addressed.

Cassar also said it was important for people to continue donating blood. Blood donation is not only important to have a supply of blood in case of emergency operations, but also to help cancer patients.

But in a reaction, Labour spokesperson for health Marie Louise Coleiro Preca today said that the current government is promoting a form of "modern slavery" in the health sector.

Speaking about the situation at Mater Dei, Coleiro Preca said that, "it is disappointing that the government has gone back on its promise to establish privately employed workers' pay levels at an equivalent grade in the civil service. It has also neglected to inform the relevant union of its decision."

"This situation is typical of the way that the government has continued to treat care workers, in spite of the decision published last year by the Board of Inquiry. From that day on, GonziPN has taken no action in order to rectify the situation, completely shirking its responsibilities," Coleiro Preca said.

"The government was obliged to ensure that any additional resources drawn from the private sector were afforded equal treatment with government workers. This goes against the very principles outlined in the tender, leading to a situation where workers employed by private contractors were significantly underpaid in comparison to their government employed counterparts."

According to Coleiro Preca, "GonziPN has become synonymous with the precarious situation present in the health sector. A new government would be charged with sorting out the current situation and ensuring that sufficient jobs were created in order to ensure a comfortable living for all."