Doctors report ‘lively exchange of views’ with Mizzi, Fearne

The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) has reported “a lively exchange of views and significant progress in the discussions” with Health ministers Konrad Mizzi and Chris Fearne.

“However a number of issues need clearance with third parties while a few others remain pending,” MAM general secretary Martin Balzan said.

A two-hour meeting was held today between a MAM delegation led by president Mr. Caruana Dingli, and a government delegation led by Mizzi and Fearne.

“Both sides agreed to meet again next week in an effort to resolve pending issues,” Balzan said.

MAM yesterday said it would order strikes unless it sees a positive outcome on problems of shortages of doctors and consultants at Mater Dei Hospital and health centres, cost-cutting inside Mater Dei, and the privatisation of services at Karin Grech rehabilitation hospital.

The industrial dispute was formally declared yesterday.

The MAM yesterday said industrial action would include all departments of the health service in Malta and Gozo.

The union said it feared that private operators of the public health service would hire doctors on their own terms, without having to follow collective agreements the association had signed with the government.