Elderly woman's death used as 'political football'

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne, has met with relatives of the 83-year-old woman who died on the 20th of January in the corridors of Mater Dei.

A press conference by shadow health minister Claudette Buttigieg that same day drew attention to the case, with claims that the woman’s death was a result of the unequipped corridors where patients were being held. Buttigieg then criticized the way the government was dealing with the issue of overcrowding at the hospital, saying that patients were being kept in public corridors which were ill-equipped for emergencies, and in which beds were packed excessively close together.

The meeting with Fearne was held after the woman’s relatives were becoming increasingly worried about the way her death was being modified without their consent.

During the meeting, the woman’s relatives showed their appreciation to Mater Dei staff members, who did everything in their power to save the woman’s life.

The relatives also wanted to reassure the public that Mater Dei has all the necessary equipment in the corridors where some patients are being kept due to overcrowding. A relative present at the time of the woman’s death, confirmed that the staff made all the necessary efforts and used the appropriate equipment to save the woman’s life.

In a statement, the government claimed that relatives were distressed over the fact that the woman’s death was used as a political football.

 “I would like to emphasize that disregarding any political controversy, the Government aims to constantly improve its health services to better serve the people of Malta and Gozo,” Fearne said.