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Private healthcare providers, health minister concerned over MAM directives timing
Health minister Jo Etienne Abela slammed what he described as 'a small nucleus within the Medical Association of Malta' that is letting personal squabbles impact patients during a difficult time of the year for all hospitals
12 January 2025, 10:14am
Matthew Farrugia
Matthew Farrugia
3 min read
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Da Vinci Health said that the measures disrupt an initiative aimed at alleviating the pressure on Mater Dei during the current peak demand period caused by seasonal illnesses
DaVinci Health outlined concern over recent directives issued by the Medical Association of Malta (MAM), which doctors at Mater Dei Hospital to refrain from advising or participating in patient transfers to private hospitals.
The directive further mandates that all patients, regardless of case severity, be admitted to Mater Dei Hospital. DaVinci Health is one of three private healthcare providers that offered to handle minor emergency cases to alleviate pressure from Mater Dei’s Accident and Emergency Department.
The partnership, secured through a public procurement process, was designed to reduce patient waiting times and allow Mater Dei’s emergency team to focus on critical cases. DaVinci Health said it had already made significant investments in state-of-the-art facilities to ensure readiness for these services.
The private healthcare provider said that the measures disrupt an initiative aimed at alleviating the pressure on Mater Dei during the current peak demand period caused by seasonal illnesses.
“With A&E waiting times already prolonged and hospital capacity stretched to its limit, these will undoubtedly impact patient care when it is most needed.”
"Directives should be a last-resort measure," DaVinci Health emphasised, calling on MAM to reconsider its stance and engage in constructive discussions with the Health Ministry.
Health minister blasts 'heartless' directive
Meanwhile, health minister Jo Etienne Abela responded to the MAM’s directives with a post on Facebook, questioning, “What comes first? Personal competition or providing good service for patients?”
Abela said that “a small nucleus” within the MAM decided to oppose the public-private partnership during the most difficult period of the year for all hospitals.
“This heartless action is a confirmation that for this small nucleus in the MAM, lies and personal competition come before patients.”
St Thomas Hospital echoes concern
St Thomas Hospital has described the ongoing situation as unfortunate for both patients and doctors. The hospital emphasised the importance of open dialogue between the parties to reach a prompt and collaborative resolution.
St Thomas Hospital highlighted its role in supporting the public healthcare system by easing the strain on Mater Dei Hospital, saying that since 2019, the hospital has treated over 5,000 patients from the public system through such initiatives.
In the last 48 hours, the hospital said it successfully treated three patients referred for relatively routine surgical emergencies.
St Thomas Hospital noted that its consistent support over the past five years has delivered excellent outcomes for patients and contributed to the overall efficiency of Malta’s healthcare system.
The hospital expressed concern over any actions that would deny patients access to these collaborative initiatives, calling such a move both unfair and counterproductive in addressing the current pressures facing the healthcare sector.
St Thomas Hospital urged all stakeholders to prioritise the well-being of patients and the sustainability of Malta’s healthcare infrastructure.
St James Hospital says emergency services outsourcing is a step in the right direction
Similarly, St James Hospital also defended the emergency service outsourcing, calling it "a step in the right direction."
"For several years now the national healthcare system has suffered and is still suffering a considerable strain to remain sustainable and this is precisely why Saint James Hospital Group, as Malta’s largest private healthcare provider, has repeatedly called on the authorities for the public and private sectors to formulate new models to encourage and foster a greater collaboration between the private healthcare sector and the state," the private service provider said.
St James Hospital echoed earlier sentiments as it described such public-private partnerships as "beneficial" as well as complementary to public services.
"Saint James Hospital Group trusts that all the involved parties ultimately have one common goal in mind, and therefore calls on the Medical Association of Malta and the authorities to actively work to resolve any differences between them and collaborate together for the welfare of the patients and the medical and supporting staff in the best interest of our healthcare system."
Matthew Farrugia is a staff reporter at MaltaToday
