Workers in massage parlours need to be checked for STDs, PD says

Workers in massage parlours need to be checked for sexually transmitted diseases, which are on the rise, Partit Demokratiku said.

Prostitution is defined as the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone against payment, and the unworthy or corrupt use of one’s talents for personal or financial gain.

Last November, PD recommended what it said were suitable objectives in order to lessen the number of people involved in that occupation – be it willingly, or unwillingly.

Last April, in reply to a parliamentary question by PD MP Godfrey Farrugia, it was said that there were 5,864 people who had attended the GU clinic in 2017, with 107 of them minors. It is not necessarily the case that warts, chlamydia and herpes were contracted through the services of prostitutes and/or masseuses; however, the fact that since 2016 massage parlours no longer needed regularisation, this may have contributed to the increase.

PD believes that the general taxpaying public deserves an answer to the following question: Has the Health Minister taken any action to ensure that the health of the workers in massage parlours is regularly checked? If yes, what action has been taken? If no, why not?

Moreover PD noted that the lowering of age of sexual consent to 16 years with immediate effect may further influence the prevalence of sexually transmitted disease. PD was a prime mover in favour but had insisted that for a transitional period of 4 years an imposed age gap be adopted, so that an updated PSCD (Personal Social Career Development) curriculum will address students aged 12.

PD said that public health is the responsibility of the Deputy Prime Minister, and it is his duty to safeguard public interest.