The MUMN condemned this move at a time when public hospitals needed more nurses to cope with demand. The union said it cannot understand why the government was not sensitive to the fact that “the level of care given in hospitals was threatened because of lack of material, overcrowding in wards and excessive heat”.

The decision did not make sense, the MUMN added, particularly because Malta is preparing for the opening of a new hospital that will, it is being said, offer excellent services.

The union has appealed to the government to revoke its decision and said that if the meeting with the Prime Minister did not have the desired results, it was prepared to take other measures.