The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) and the government yesterday signed an agreement that will bring a marked improvement in public service doctors’ working conditions.

The agreement was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in parliament last week, while the association members gave their assent through a secret ballot during an extraordinary general meeting held on Monday night.

The two sides agreed on sharp pay rises, specialisation programmes, as well as incentives for specialists and consultants to leave their private practice, and improved career progression prospects for specialists.

Parliamentary Secretary Helen D’Amato, who presided over the signing in the absence of Health Minister Louis Deguara, said the ‘historical agreement’ will upgrade the health sector in line with the government’s vision in making Malta a centre of excellence by 2015.

She said the government, through its new agreements with doctors, nurses and paramedics, is investing in Maltese families. Ms D’Amato said the importance of human resources within the sector surpasses the benefits of a hospital as well as its state-of-the-art equipment.

Institutional Health Director John Cachia said doctors work in a more flexible environment, thus resources will be used to a fuller extent, adding that consultants and their teams will plan ahead their work in order to guarantee high quality treatment. Dr Cachia explained also the government’s commitment towards further local undergraduate and postgraduate training for doctors.

MAM president Stephen Fava said the agreement introduces new concepts in the health sector and is the newest link in the government’s chain of measures in favour of an improved health sector. Dr Fava said he was convinced that the medical brain drain afflicting the country will somewhat be quelled through the advantageous conditions proposed.

Around 600 doctors and consultants will benefit from this agreement, which will cost government an extra Lm1.8million (EUR4.19million).

In virtue of the new agreement, consultants will be able to choose to forfeit their private practice against a Lm15,000 (EUR34,940) pay rise by 2010 to Lm28,000 (EUR65,222). Those who keep their private practice will be able to earn up to a maximum of Lm24,173 (EUR56,308) in 2011. This scheme will be offered on a voluntary basis.