Background information

On 4 March the European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC). Amongst others, the directive provided eligible individuals with emergency medical care and essential treatment for illness. Apart from offering this level of care, Malta also chose to exceed this by offering cancer treatment to patients from Ukraine.

Content of measure

The measure was first mentioned in the press during February 2022, whilst more concrete details of the measure began to emerge in March 2022, with it being reported that Malta would be offering oncology treatment for up to five patients at a time. It was announced that oncology treatment will take place at the 110 bed Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Clinic, a public unit dedicated to the treatment of oncology patients. The assignment of Ukrainian patients to Malta will be coordinated with European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

Use of measure

The first individual to benefit from this arrangement commenced their treatment in Malta in mid-March. Further updates on the number of people who benefitted from this measure were not reported.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Migrants or refugees Other groups of citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government EU level social partners	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

The social partners do not appear to be involved in the designing, implementing and monitoring of this measure.

Views and reactions

The news of the arrival of the first individual from the Ukraine to receive cancer treatment in Malta, a six year old girl, was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne. The news was published in the majority of news outlets. A Ukrainian delegation, led by the Consulate of Ukraine in Malta thanked the Government for the medical assistance provided to the Ukrainian people.

Sources

• 01 March 2022: Bay - Ukrainian Community In Malta Thank Government For Support (bay.com.mt)
• 04 March 2022: Times of Malta - Malta to provide cancer treatment to Ukrainian patients - 5 at a time (timesofmalta.com)