This week a new
medical centre in Ħal Far will open its doors, as part of the contingency
measures being taken to contain the outbreak of Covid-19. The building is
located near the open centre, whose residents have been asked to observe a
mandatory quarantine period.
Works on the
renovation of this building had started before the first positive case in the
Ħal Far open centre was confirmed. In light of the current circumstances, the
Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement decided to use
this building to provide adequate healthcare to residents of the open centre
and to accommodate residents who are expected to stay in isolation.
To ensure that
the best care is provided to all resident of the centre, the Agency for the
Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS) will be managing this location in
collaboration with doctors, nurses and members of the Malta Red Cross Society
and the health authorities. This is the second initiative undertaken by the
Malta Red Cross Society, after it opened a new clinic close to the Ħal Far open
centre a few weeks ago.
The new centre
will accommodate around 150 people from the Ħal Far open centre and everyone
residing there will be required to observe a period of mandatory quarantine.
This initiative follows another one of its kind since at the beginning of
March, 50 residents were transferred to another centre in Ħal Far. These two
initiatives will decrease the amount of people living together in the Ħal Far
open centre by 20%
https://www.facebook.com/MaltaRedCross/videos/892112154571401/
As a result of
these initiatives, pressure will be reduced from both the Ħal Far open center
and from Mater Dei Hospital. The Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security
and Law Enforcement is committed to safeguarding the health of all those living
in migrant reception facilities.