During the last consultation meeting on the introduction of Miscarriage Leave, this time organised in Gozo, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul stressed that during these last three months of consultation, the Government has intensified the discussion on this subject, where it has not only heard various personal experiences of miscarriage but also collected various suggestions and proposals from experts in the field, social partners and also from the public.

Members of Parliament, both from the Government and the Opposition, as well as various social partners including the Gozo Regional Committee, participated in this consultation meeting. Also speaking were Lara Sammut – Allied Health Practitioner at Mater Dei Hospital and Academic at the University of Malta, Sarah Farrugia who is a teacher and recounted her personal experience and as well as Maria Grech Debono – Systemic Family Psychotherapist at the Gozo General Hospital.

Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul reiterated that the last public consultation meeting was held in Gozo so that the Government could continue to give a national reach to this initiative that affects so many people every day. Dr Ellul thanked those hundreds of professionals and individuals who participated and gave their contribution during these consultation meetings.

“The next phase of this consultation is that we will give the opportunity to anyone who wishes to share their thoughts and suggestions but for some reason was unable to attend one of the organised meetings, so that they can still do so online,” explained Dr Ellul.

Parliamentary Secretary Ellul concluded by saying, “Our country will be one of the first countries to introduce Miscarriage Leave fully paid by the Government, in order to continue strengthening workers’ rights. In this way, we are sending a clear message that this Government is here to offer support in moments when people really need it.”

Lara Sammut explained that in research carried out by the University of Malta, it was found that around 23% of women who experience threatened miscarriage end up with a pregnancy loss. In addition, around 1,000 women per year seek help due to complications in the first trimester of pregnancy.

She went on to explain that through this research, a scientific model was created that is capable of predicting with 93% accuracy how a pregnancy will develop after a threatened miscarriage. This allows for personalised interventions and more effective care.

“Miscarriage leave should not be considered a whim but as a measure of awareness and recognition of the need for healing time, physical, mental and emotional, after a pregnancy loss. This public consultation is a crucial step in giving dignity to experiences that have remained silent until now,” concluded Lara Sammut.

Photo: DOI

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