Pregnant women lack midwifery services, union threatens industrial action

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has criticised the Department of Health for not recruiting newly graduated midwives, leaving the midwifery department with an inadequate compliment of midwives.

The union said that if the midwives are not employed by Wednesday 18 September, the MUMN will register an industrial dispute.

“The recruitment of these midwives is essential so that the maternity department provides high, quality and safe care to pregnant women and their babies.

“It is a pity that midwives are treated as second class professionals, since newly graduated nurses were recruited and employed on a temporary basis while midwives were left to register for work,” union vice president Maria Cutajar said.

“MUMN find this unacceptable as its officials had continuously corresponded with parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne, affirming the urgent need to recruit midwives. We appeal to all those responsible to ensure that these midwives are recruited like their nursing counterparts.”