The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) this afternoon insisted that the government could have retained cardiologist Albert Fenech like it did with several other post-retirement consultants, who were re-engaged or had their contracts extended.

It was reacting to comments given by Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne to The Malta Independent. Mr Fearne insisted that Mater Dei hospital was following the regulations laid down by the previous administration in the case of cardiologist Albert Fenech, whose post-retirement one-year extension contract has just expired. Mr Fenech, a well-known health professional and PN MP carried out his last surgery yesterday.

The Malta Independent asked Mr Fearne if he agreed with the decision to retire the cardiologist when he has so much more to offer. This paper pointed out that when former Labour MP Anthony Zammit retired, the PL had stuck its neck out and insisted he had more to offer.

In reply, the office of the Parliamentary Secretary for Health said: “Prof Fenech enjoys the respect of a large number of patients. Last year he was offered a one year’s extension of his contract post-retirement. This extension is now coming to an end.

In February 2013, one week before the general elections, the previous government had signed an agreement with the Medical Association of Malta laying down the regulations for post-retirement contract extensions.

The present Mater Dei administration followed these regulations in this case. In fact during this last year two young, and fully qualified cardiologists were employed at Mater Dei and the will be taking over the care of Prof Fenech’s patients.”

But in reply, the MAM said: “MAM clarifies that while paragraph 9.1.10 of this agreement states: “Renewal of contracts beyond the statutory retirement age will only be considered after no suitable candidate would have been found to fill the post in a recruitment process initialised at least six months prior to the date of retirement”, this is not specific to this agreement but it is a reflection of the Public Service Management Code which regulates human resources management in the public service, paragraph 1.1.19.7. This was clarified by a recent Public Service Commission ruling.

Recognising that in the Health sector the expertise of consultants who have reached retirement age may continue to be required, the Government-MAM agreement of 2013 makes the following provision:

“Paragraph 9.7.5: Sessions may be offered to retired consultants if the Management is unable to recruit enough consultants in that specialty or if the need arises”.

In view of the above, MAM would like to state that the Government-MAM agreement of 2013 does not preclude the management from retaining post-retirement doctors in cases where there is no replacement or if the need arises. In fact, several post-retirement consultants have been re-engaged or had their contracts extended by the Department of Health.

In the meantime a Facebook group has been set up to support the cardiologist, who was told that there were too many consultants and that room had to be made for the younger generation.

Almost 5,000 people have liked the page so far, with posts showing both sadness and anger at the recent revelation.

Fenech had co-founded the cardiology department around 20 years ago, and told the press that he believed the real reason for this decision was his political involvement in the Nationalist Party.

He had told the press that originally he was told to stop a month ago, however after having contacted the Mater Dei CEO, he was given an extra month to operate on patients who had been under his care for years.

He said that he was told that he could see outpatients, however, could no longer carry out surgery. He did not exclude leaving the country.

Labour MP Marlene Farrugia also hit out at the situation. "It is not professor Fenech we are humiliating, but the many Maltese and Gozitans who want him and adore him. Why is this happening? Malta Taghna Lkoll.”

Allegations 'completely unfounded'

In a statement this evening, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Health said that MAM itself had confirmed that the hospital's management had taken the correct course of action, and that it had proceeded in Prof. Fenech's case as it had done with respect to other specialists at the hospital.

Citing comments given to ONE News this evening, the government said that MAM itself has confirmed that consultants could be kept on after the retirement age if there was no replacement for the retiring consultant.

The secretariat said that in the case of the Department of Cardiology, a new consultant had been appointed last September and another started the job last month and as such, the department is fully staffed.

As such, the secretariat said the allegations being made with respect to Prof Fenech's retirement were "completely unfounded".