The Civil Society Network publicly expresses its support towards the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) in its dispute with the Maltese government over the irresponsible choices of the government on the subject of the privatization of the services given in Maltese hospitals. CSN believes that it is the patient who will most suffer from bad decisions taken by the government in this field.
In CSN’s opinion, the fact that the government did not respect his obligations in respect of MAM on the subect of Steward Healthcare is of grave concern and raises very serious doubts as to in whose interest decisions in the health sector are being taken.
CSN believes that it is unacceptable and indeed shocking that the government imposed on the Maltese people the obligation to pay one hundred million Euros and all the investor’s liabilities in the event that any future Maltese government decides to take back into its hands the said hospitals. This is a burden on future generations and explains why the details of the government’s agreement wth Vitals have been maintained secret.
Wheras CSN expresses its solidairity with health care professionals and with the patients who receive care in the said hospitals, it wishes to bring to the attention of the public that the right of workers to strike is a basic one and therefore as long as the minimum level of service guaranteed by law is satisfied by MAM, the right of its members to strike should be respected by all, including the government.
