Morning Briefing
Health Minister opens to ‘doctor-assisted dying’ in exceptional cases
Surgeon and newly-appointed health minister Jo Etienne Abela has expressed support to doctor-assisted dying in exceptional cases, he said in an interview, adding that his perspective has been influenced by personal encounters with terminally-ill individuals experiencing extreme pain. Abela expressed opposition to euthanasia in broader contexts and emphasized plans to enhance resources and facilities for palliative care. However, he acknowledged that certain lethal illnesses can cause unbearable pain beyond the reach of medical intervention. “While we will provide palliative care to patients, there are instances where even the best palliative care cannot alleviate the patient’s suffering with no prospect of recovery. In such circumstances, I believe doctor-assisted dying is appropriate and justified, he said. (Times of Malta)
Govt open to reform parental alienation laws
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the Maltese government is contemplating a bill aimed at reforming parental alienation. “We may hold differing viewpoints, but this is an issue that demands attention… this is the reality,” Abela remarked while speaking to party supporters in Qawra. He elaborated on how the previous legislation addressing the issue was enacted several years ago, noting that while it wasn’t deficient, it lacked sufficient ambition. Parental alienation refers to the situation wherein a child grows apart from one parent due to psychological manipulation exerted by the other parent. This reform, he said, would entail changes in the way the family court operated. (Maltatoday)
PN leader says Government is treating Gozitans as second-class citizens
Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech has criticised the government’s treatment of Gozo and its citizens during Sunday’s political event. Grech deemed it “unacceptable” that despite eleven years in power, those in authority have yet to recognize the need for different treatment for the island of Gozo and its people compared to Malta. “Gozitans are not second-class citizens,” asserted Grech. The PN leader further condemned the government for its purported commitment to environmental protection while implementing policies that continue to harm Gozo’s natural environment. (The Malta Independent)
