The council of the Medical Association of Malta unanimously approved a vote of confidence in its leadership, in particular its highest-ranking officials Martin Balzan president, John Paul Tabone General secretary, and Jeffrey Bonnici Vice President, the association said Thursday

The council also unanimously approved directives to doctors working in primary health care on Friday 24 January, and Tuesday 28 January where only Paola, Mosta, and Floriana will open for 24 hours from 8am to 8am the next day.

The union has registered a trade dispute with the government over the transfer of patients to private hospitals after MAM said the government had not consulted the union about the initiative.

A group of some 200 doctors have petitioned the union to hold an extraordinary general meeting, demanding a vote of no-confidence in the union leadership.

In a letter sent to the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) committee on Friday, the doctors requested an EGM within ten days "to address serious concerns regarding governance, communication and recent actions by the leadership.