STATEMENT BY THE HEALTH DIVISION REGARDING MAM?S PRESS RELEASE ISSUED TODAY

With reference to MAM's press release issued today 26th April, 2001, the Health Division deplores the tone and content of statement. It is a pity that the Medical Association has itself stooped to pointing fingers and making false accusations rather than reflecting on the consequences of its directives. Rigidity and unresponsiveness have been the hallmark of the Medical Association and not of management. This is further reflected in MAM's statement.

It is not clear why the Health Division is being blamed for the current state of affairs when doctors' working conditions are not within its jurisdiction. The Health Division has always been responsive to MAM's requests as was endorsed at the last general meeting of the Association. The Division has put forward a number of proposals to tide over the situation for the next 2 months when 67 doctors are expected to graduate and join the service thereby improving the current manpower problems. MAM has never made any counter proposals.

The Health Division acknowledges MAM's endorsement of the Division's responsive management to a crisis situation. This is indeed crisis management, management of a crisis precipitated by MAM through its directives. The Health Division is aware of the consequences of its actions but in the circumstances, it was left with no alternative if patient's interests were to be safeguarded. If the objectives of the directives issued by MAM were to safeguard the interest of Maltese patients, it is ironic that the same directives are aimed at reducing even further the complement of doctors available to look after patients in the hospital.

If MAM's aim is to achieve better working conditions for doctors, then using patients as a pawn is neither the ethical nor the more effective means to succeed. Sitting around a table and trying to find effective interim measures to mitigate the shortage over the next two months would certainly be more effective and in the interest of the patients. The Health Division is always willing to do this.