Choice of selection board members causes bumps in recruitment process

Bickering between the Office of the Prime Minister and the Health Ministry, regarding the composition of the selection boards, is partly to blame for the lack of recruitment of doctors and specialists for the Gozo General Hospital, sources have told The Malta Independent.

The Health Ministry yesterday insisted that there was no disagreement but sources from within the health sector insisted otherwise.

It was reported yesterday that patients at the hospital would be hit by delays as a result of the shortage of doctors.

The agreement signed last April between the government and the MAM stated that recruitment was to be the government’s responsibility.

The government had announced that the recruitment process had started, but no new doctors have been employed so far. The number of doctors working in Gozo has continued to decrease.

In comments to this newsroom, a health ministry spokesperson said the process was at an “advanced stage”, further explaining that “applications have been received, the selection boards have been appointed and interviews are scheduled to be held over the next few days.”

“There is, or ever was, no disagreement on this matter,” the spokesperson said.

The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) was queried about its position on the matter, and although it emphasised that doctors from Mater Dei have their own duties to fulfil, pointed out that they are ready to go the extra mile to help their colleagues in Gozo.

In spite of this, at a certain point it’s up to the government and Steward to make sure the hospital is adequately staffed, the association said.