The Government of Robert Abela is attempting to take credit for a legislative bill introduced months ago by the Nationalist Party to implement the concept of 'opt-out' from organ donation in Malta.

The Private Member's Bill addressing this issue was submitted in February by Shadow Minister Ivan Bartolo. Now, Health Minister JoEtienne Abela has announced plans to launch a consultation process to amend organ donation laws. However, the framework proposed by the PN is already successfully implemented in other European countries, where it has proven effective in ensuring organ donations occur unless the deceased had opted out during their lifetime, the PN said.

Currently in Malta, approximately 90 patients are waiting for a kidney, 15 for a liver, 6 for a heart and around 50 for a cornea.The Partit Nazzjonalista's proposal aims to reform the current system by presuming that individuals over 16 years of age consent to organ donation automatically unless they opt out. In cases where a citizen has not expressed their wishes, the final decision would remain with the family.

The PN said it has consistently reiterated that it is the Government's duty to advance laws like this 'opt-out' system, which are rooted in the common good and unite all Maltese and Gozitans.