“As Christians, life is of the utmost important to us and we will not pick and choose who we help” Head of the government crisis centre Mario Cutajar said, regarding medical assistance being given to those being evacuated from Libya.

Mr Cutajar was speaking with the Malta Independent, where he emphasised that they will not pick and choose who to help, regardless from of the militia they represent. “We are receiving people who wish to be treated in Malta”.

Mr Cutajar made clear that despite the difficulties, the Maltese government was demanding full medical reports of those to be treated here in Malta, to ensure that the hospitals would know, in advance, what they are dealing with. He also said that he was in constant contact with parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne.

When asked whether someone can be sent to Libya to effectively evaluate those being brought to Maltese shores, he explained that the situation is too dangerous to send people there right now, however did not exclude this possibility in the future

Hospital under severe pressure

Yesterday, the MUMN issued a press statement saying that the hospital is under severe pressure coping with Maltese patients, let alone if Libyan patients are flown in for treatment. The MUMN made reference to multi resistant organisms which contaminated the hospital three years ago, saying that the Prime Minister should take all these aspects into consideration if Malta continues to prepare to welcome Libyan patients.

On Saturday night, two critically injured Libyan nationals were flown in for treatment at Mater Dei, along with a relative of one of the patients.

The aircraft carrying the Libyans landed at 11pm at Malta International Airport, where two ambulances were waiting for their arrival.