The government yesterday tried to belittle the situation and say that its investment has diminished the problem of electricity cuts and, where they happen, the repair work is taking less time.

But here we are again in another day of sweltering heat with several parts of Malta being hit by a power cut.

Enemalta is currently tackling an issue which is affecting Bormla, Birgu, Kalkara, Tarxien, Zabbar, Fgura and Naxxar.

But last night other localities were affected by long power cuts which started in the evening and stretched well into the night. These included Attard, Balzan, Pembroke, Mellie,a Gharghur, Msida, Pieta, Sty Paul's Bay and Swieqi.

In two separate videos, PN leader Alex Borg said that both Dar Centrali in Pieta and his home in Balzan were without electricity on Monday night. 

"Unfortunately, in our apartment, we have no generator, so we will spend another night without electricity.... this is the reality of each summer in Malta and Gozo."

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said the power cuts, which have now persisted for almost an entire week, are having a particularly serious impact on older people, patients and the most vulnerable.

When the electricity supply is interrupted, it does not only cause food stored in refrigerators to spoil and damage appliances. It is also having a real and negative impact on people's health.

The PN expressed concern about the widespread impact of these power cuts, but the health of the public must remain the first priority. As a result of prolonged power cuts across a large number of localities, there has been a substantial increase in cases of heat exhaustion, caused by excessive heat affecting people who are unable to remain in a cool environment, as well as dehydration and other heat-related consequences.

All of this can have serious consequences for human health.The increase in the number of people requiring treatment at Mater Dei Hospital's Emergency Department is also a serious concern for a hospital that is already under severe pressure, the PN said. It is now facing additional demand from people requiring hospital treatment as a direct consequence of power cuts, including supportive treatment such as intravenous drips and other care for the effects of excessive heat.

This is not normally a period during which our hospital comes under such pressure. However, the failures in the electricity supply system are continuing to place further strain on the hospital and healthcare professionals.It is already a problem that practically the whole of Malta depends on a single hospital.

Mater Dei certainly cannot sustain additional pressures of this kind.The Partit Nazzjonalista urges the utmost caution and serious protection for the most vulnerable, so that we do not witness an increase in deaths caused by the failures of those governing the country. The Maltese people's dream is to live in a safe country where protecting their health is the foremost priority of those in government, the PN said.