Minister Justyne Caruana back at work after accidental overdose of tranquiliser pills

Education Minister Justyne Caruana was hospitalised after an accidental overdose of tranquiliser pills, sources have told this newspaper.

She was held for observation, a government statement said. The statement released on Tuesday afternoon did not elaborate on the cause of hospitalisation, but added that the minister’s condition was “stable”.

On Wednesday, Caruana posted a photo of her at work, signalling her return to the ministry after being discharged.

Caruana was cast in the spotlight over the past couple of days when MaltaToday revealed that she awarded a consultancy contract for €5,000 per month to her close friend Daniel Bogdanovich, the Għajnsielem coach and former Malta international footballer. Bogdanovich was employed by the government in 2019 through the Community Worker Scheme, a programme managed by the General Workers Union, and in January 2021 awarded a three-month, €15,000 contract to supervise national sports curricula.

Earlier in the day, PN media reports claimed Caruana was involved in a row with ministry officials over the Bogdanovic contract.

An ethics investigation has been requested by independent candidate Arnold Cassola.