The World Health Organisation placed Malta in fifth position globally for medical care, deputy PN leader Tonio Borg told the Nationalist Party’s Women’s Movement (MNPN) at the annual general meeting at Ta’ Xbiex .

But the Labour Party with its recent attacks against the medical profession showed that it did not recognise the efforts and dedication of these Maltese workers.

The government implemented the Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme so patients could be served at their locality, reached an agreement with the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses and the Medical Association of Malta, and initiated the migration to Mater Dei.

Dr Borg said nobody had expected that on the very first day patients were treated at the new hospital, the Labour Party would launch an attack on Professor Albert Fenech and the employees in the health sector.

Dr Borg said the government believed in the Maltese woman’s ability and over the last three years took a number of decisions aimed at bringing out women’s full potential.

The government encouraged those female entrepreneurs to participate actively in the entrepreneurial industry and in last year’s budget offered initiatives to promote women in this sector.

Dr Borg said the government was opening a number of child care centres in villages and towns, including child care services at various workplaces.

The family was at the centre of the policies of the government and for this reason, Budget 2008 offered incentives and initiatives which helped families, rewarded work and sustained children’s upbringing.

He added that the government’s substantial increase in the children’s allowance, and the reduction of income tax, left more money in families’ pockets.