The past few days has seen a "deluge" of sick patients requiring inpatient care at Mater Dei Hospital, amounting to a 65% increase in the daily intake of patients, the hospital's CEO Ivan Falzon said in a statement on Thursday.

The increase amounts to around 200 new inpatients every 24 hours, in what is the winter peak season for illnesses.

Describing the past week as "particularly challenging", Falzon said; "we know that during these operationally challenging hours, at times we failed to meet some of your expectations. Waiting times were longer, resources were stretched. For this we apologize."

"Do rest assured that all of the MDH team is fully engaged to restore normal operations despite the difficulties winter peaks bring with them. I'm sure you will join me in thanking our healthcare workforce in going beyond what is expected of them during these times. Our staff worked extra hours, away from their families, away from their routine place of work, away from tending to their own at home, to care for our hospital patients. This is who we are", he added.

Falzon humbly asked those visiting the hospital, either as patients or to see their loved ones, to find the nearest employee tending to their needs or those of their loved ones and thank them.  "It's the least we could do", Falzon said before adding that the hospital promises its full commitment to continue providing you and those in need the highest quality care package despite the challenges.

Falzon ended his statement with a plea for all continue using their services responsibly.