In the Press: Hospital undergoing major transformation, but not increasing number of personnel

Times of Malta

The A&E department, as well as other medical specialties, are being stretched out quite thin as a result of not being given any new consultants in face of the “ever-increasing workload”. Speaking to Medical Association of Malta general secretary Marin Balzan, the Times confirms that despite a seven per cent increase in patients from last year, only two specialists were added to the team to assist in the increase. This shortage of additional staff ranges from common hospital workers to specialists. Nevertheless, representatives from the hospital insist that in the last few years, wards and the A&E department have seen great change for the better.

L-Orizzont

The first installment of this year’s regatta, a traditional biannual rowing event that has been held in Malta since the Middle Ages, is being prepared, starting off with drug tests. The issue is a sensitive one as last year’s tests revealed seven rowing contestants to be using doping substances, two of which were caught in the March edition held Freedom Day, and five in the September edition held on Victory Day. Fortunately, this year, no contestants were found to be using such substances, a change which made for a very happy Joseph Grima, President of the Regatta and Other Rowing Association. He explained that since last year, athletes accused of doping were immediately suspended from the sport, adding that the disappearance of substance abuse since then is a clear indication of the athletes’ love for the sport.

In-Nazzjon

The newspaper expresses the deep concern of Air Malta employees regarding their future with the national airline. The newspaper claims that not only were the employees never consulted during the negotiations that were taking place, but also now that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the national airline and Alitalia, the employees are being kept out of the loop about the new phase of negotiation.

The Malta Independent

Following a grilling session by the Public Accounts Committee yesterday, former parliamentary secretary for planning Michael Falzon insisted that the NAO report regarding the Gaffarena case was the result of a ‘political witch-hunt’. He insisted that Clint Scerri was never authorized to speak on his behalf and that Scerri was to be held accountable for his own words. Falzon said that Scerri was a customer care representative in relation to GDP, a scale 14 civil servant.