Mater Dei Hospital is prepared to tackle Ebola cases in line with WHO and ECDC guidelines and staff training on Ebola preparedness is ongoing to prepare healthcare workers in procedures and protocols which would be adopted in the eventual case of an Ebola patient at Mater Dei, the new CEO of Mater Dei Hospital has said.
In a Right of Reply sent to The Malta Independent, Ivan Falzon referred to the article 'Mater Dei is not equipped to treat (Ebola) victims' published on Thursday on www.independent.com.mt and the print version the next day.
Mr Falzon 'categorically denies' ever broaching the subject of Mater Dei Hospital with regards to the level of Ebola preparedness during the MEPA board meeting of Thursday.
Mr Falzon denies that during this meeting, he mentioned in any way that Mater Dei Hospital is not prepared to deal with Ebola victims. Mr Falzon expresses disappointment at the sensational and alarmist way Mr Grima and The Malta Independent decided to report the positive development of the new emergency ward at Mater Dei Hospital which will include a national crises unit, as approved by MEPA.
In reply, Noel Grima states that neither the online version nor the print version state that Mr Falzon said Mater Dei is not equipped to treat Ebola victims but stated that 'Mater Dei is not equipped to treat infectious diseases victims'.
At the Mepa hearing, when the board was examining the plans of the new building, it was pointed out the two storeys over the medical admission unit were for emergencies, such as an earthquake or Ebola.
Board member Professor Victor Axiaq asked is the two storeys dedicated to the national crisis unit were to have separate systems altogether so as to avoid the risk of contagion.
But Mr Falzon, who at that time was not yet Mater Dei CEO, but Deputy CEO, was prompt to reply that Mater Dei is not equipped to treat infectious diseases victims, the inference taken he was referring to Ebola victims in the context of the discussion and these two storeys will be used to store equipment for the NCU.
The above may be checked with the members of the Mepa board who were present.