The two calls for tenders for the services of two doctors and two nurses issued by the Armed Forces of Malta to work with irregular migrants are at an advanced stage and, hopefully, will soon be awarded, The Malta Independent has learnt.

The two tenders, which were published in the Government Gazette, called for the medical services of two doctors and two nurses to work with irregular immigrants in the detention centres.

A spokesperson for the AFM explained to this newspaper yesterday that, at present, there are two doctors and two nurses working in the closed centres. The new medical staff will be taken on in addition to the existing complement.

The first call for medical staff was issued early last year while the second set of tenders were published on 18 July.

“The decision was taken due to the pressing needs of medical care in detention centres. This year’s contract will just be a continuation of the services provided last year, and is not linked to the number of arrivals,” the spokesman said.

The contracts are financed through national funds after the approval of a project proposal for co-financing which was submitted to the European Refugee Fund.

The annual cost of the tenders amounts to e28,768 each per doctor and e11,961 per nurse. Working hours are from Monday to Friday between 8am and 1pm.

At present, the AFM have no other medical staff employed with irregular migrants. However, an agreement has recently been reached between the government and Medicins San Frontiers (MSF) allowing the NGO to provide first intervention screening of boat people.

The service will complement the medical screening provided by health authorities to identify serious medical cases and vulnerable persons and is distinct from the tender.