Cancer patients have a right to chemotherapy on the government formulary, and the Nationalist Party will continue working hard to ensure this remains a priority, PN Leader Alex Borg told that Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses in a meeting.

A Pn statement said the MUMN's proposals for the budget are similar to what the PN is advocating for.

MUMN is putting forward three proposals for the forthcoming budget. The first is for chemotherapy to be included on the formulary so that cancer patients no longer have to beg for treatment or pay tens of thousands of euros out of their own pockets.

The union is also proposing that designated cubicles in the Emergency Department be allocated to cancer patients, with a fast-track system to prevent further health complications arising from infections they could contract while spending long hours in waiting areas.

MUMN's other proposal is to update the waiting list system so that patients are informed when they are placed on a waiting list and immediately given a provisional date for an appointment or operation.

During the meeting, held at the PN Leader's new office in the AŻAD building in Valletta, Alex Borg said that all these proposals are important to ensure a more efficient service for patients.

He also spoke about conditions for nurses and midwives, on whom the healthcare sector depends, saying that we must ensure they have not only adequate salaries but also working conditions that allow them to enjoy a good quality of life themselves.

Borg said that the PN will continue to insist on improvements to infrastructure, including strengthening the Emergency Department, and transparency regarding waiting lists.He emphasised that much of what was discussed had been included in the Partit Nazzjonalista's electoral manifesto for the last election.

Also present at the meeting were Shadow Minister for Finance Adrian Delia, Shadow Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects Darren Carabott, and Shadow Minister for Health Stephen Spiteri.