The Malta Independent 25 April 2024, Thursday
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'Government discriminating between patients' - Busuttil

Malta Independent Tuesday, 22 April 2014, 18:40 Last update: about 11 years ago

"The Labour government is discriminating between patients by choosing to serve medicines only to those close to the party - and this is scandalous," Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said this evening.

Speaking at Mosta, Dr Busuttil said that the government has created a Malta that is not for all, but rather for a few.

"We have always worked for a better Malta, even from the opposition's parliamentary seats."  Calling the PN a constructive opposition, he said it is their duty to assess the decisions taken by the government. "But the government has ignored all opportunities to consult with the opposition." Admitting that this is a challenging campaign for the PN, because of the electoral result last year and because of the allocated budget, he said that the Nationalist Party is not ready to give up.

Urging the public to vote in the upcoming election, Dr Busuttil said that this is an opportunity for one to send a clear message on whether they are disappointed or satisfied with the country's governance. "This is not a regional election. EU policies will be implemented locally, and therefore, one should choose representatives carefully.

Pharmacist Denise Ellul said that back in November she found out that some patients were receiving their medicine at homes, while others were left without their needed meds, because they were out of stock. "It is unethical to prefer some patients over others."

A statement sent by the Chamber of Pharmacists proved that this was the case, and ordered that this needs to stop. She said she asked why medicines for certain patients were being received, and then a few days later pharmacists were told that the same medicine is now out of stock, for which she got no reply.  "The out of stock situation has not improved, and this is increasing tension not only between the patients, but the pharmacists themselves."

Discussing the meritocracy issue, Nationalist MP Clyde Puli said that the 'Malta for all pledge' was widely believed prior to last year's election, however today, Labour government proved otherwise. He criticized the government for giving prominent positions in committee boards to certain individuals, calling it a government not for all, but rather for the few close to the party. "A Labour government has done its utmost to be divisive," he said, referring to the IIP and civil union controversial issues.

Joe Borg reminded that PN had always supported EU membership and prior to the referendum in 2003,  PN clarified the benefits Malta would gain by becoming a full member. He said that the first and foremost responsibility of any MEP is to serve its countries best interest, however the MEP needs to believe in EU membership, because this is reflected in the credibility they get within EU committees.

Malcolm Bray argued that unemployment rates statistics are constantly increasing, saying that it has become a 'trend'. A country's GDP is sustained by the private sector, and thus, increasing employment in the public sector does not help. "The government needs to offer direction, and not a quick fix for everything." He claimed that the government has no political vision regarding youth unemployment, and the government needs to hire expertise to analyze the situation and what needs to be done. 

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The Health Department issued a statement saying that it does not discriminate between patients depending on their political allegiiance.

 

 

 
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