Update from MUT below – The Medical Association of Malta has condemned “without reservation the removal of the public health consultant responsible for the co-ordination of the public health response to Covid who had the courage to recommend caution on the consequences re-opening for the schools.”

The MAM council, in a statement, has said that it will convene on Monday evening to “evaluate the situation and decide its reaction to this episode of intimidation.”

MAM went on to express its disappointment that the “same reckless mistakes due to decisions taken by politicians based on short sided populism rather than the advice of medical experts, have led to this current situation.”

It highlighted that “a mass event for the elderly in San Gwann, a music concert held in Valletta, free for all New Year’s Eve events in many restaurants, and many private parties in Gozo, together with repeated mixed messages from the Government side have caused numbers to shoot up from 50 a day to 200 a day in a couple of weeks.”

The MAM pointed out that regular flights to the UK have remained operational despite claims to the contrary, claiming that it is “aware that a number of positive cases of people arriving the UK. Analysis for variants is awaited.”

The union argued that,”the Government should continue to support the tourist industry financially rather than encourage behaviours which put people’s lives at risk, and further aggravate the damage to the industry.”

“Only people out of their senses” would considering issuing vouchers at this stage. A classic case of “biting off your nose to spite your face.” (Tara sa Mniehrek u taghffigha) the union said.

MAM concluded by reminding the Government about the numbers. “Too many elderly people have died, and every effort must be made to save lives, that with numbers above 100 a day, there is a strong risk that Mater Dei ICU and Medical wards may not be able to cope with patients and that measures are necessary to bring down numbers.”

Update – MUT condemns dismissal of consultant

The Malta Union of Teachers has also condemned the dismissal of the medical adviser who, the MAM had said, “advised on caution in the opening of schools.

In a statement, the union said that it is in “full solidarity with the said consultant, the MAM and all health professionals.”

The union stressed that “every professional has a duty to provide scientific advice in the field of his or her specialisation and this can never lead to his or her dismissal.”

The MUT called on the Government to “review its position and allow all professionals, including and in particular those in the field of health, to work smoothly while guiding decisions on measures needed to curb the pandemic.”

The union concluded by saying that “this further confirms what the MUT has argued about the advice the government has had.”

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