The Ministry for Health and Active Ageing announced that an agreement has been reached with the Medical Association of Malta (MAM), the union representing doctors

The MAM council had previously unanimously approved directives to doctors working in primary healthcare calling for only the Paola, Mosta, and Floriana centres to open for 24 hours on two specific days. The union had registered a trade dispute over the transfer of patients to private hospitals, saying that it was not consulted as per collective agreement.

The government says that now agreement has been found.

Through this agreement, the Government's deal with the private sector to outsource a number of emergency services from Mater Dei Hospital will now gain momentum, the government said.

The Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela, expressed his gratitude to the team of officials within the Ministry, along with officials from Mater Dei Hospital, Primary Care, the Industrial Relations Unit (IRU) within the Office of the Prime Minister, and union representatives.

"This is a significant and positive step for patients, which should lead to greater efficiency and reduced waiting times for care," concluded Minister Abela.