Tista’ taqra bil-
Malti.
A leading emergency consultant has warned that Malta suffers from a “major shortfall” in public knowledge of first aid, adding that proper training can make the critical difference between life and death.
Michael Spiteri, a consultant in the emergency department, made the remarks during a discussion on the RTK103 programme Għal Kulħadd, presented by Christine Delicata.
He was joined by Rachel Borg, a charge nurse in emergency care, and Anthony Pisani and Renato Agius from the Civil Protection Department.
Spiteri underlined the vital importance of immediate bystander intervention, noting that many victims of accidents lose their lives within the first ten minutes. “In the majority of cases, it is impossible for an ambulance to arrive within ten minutes. That is why first aid is so important,” he stated.
Addressing a widespread lack of knowledge, he argued that affordable, accessible training is key. “A first aid course does not cost a lot and everyone can do it, even children,” Spiteri said, adding that people survive today because someone nearby knew and correctly performed a simple manoeuvre.
To improve public response during emergencies, he called for better public education on actions like moving aside for emergency vehicles and providing complete, accurate information when calling for help. “For us, it makes a difference if a person has broken their leg on the street or on a construction site three storeys below street level,” he explained.
The discussion also turned to Malta’s preparedness for a major incident, defined as one involving more than six casualties requiring hospital resource reallocation. Dr Spiteri confirmed protocols are constantly reviewed, stating, “Major incidents will certainly happen at some point, we just don’t know when.” He cited 6-7 such incidents over the past decade.
On her part, Borg outlined the hospital’s major incident response, which involves immediate departmental alerts and the activation of specific duty cards for all staff.
Anthony Pisani, Director of the Civil Protection Department, highlighted ongoing public safety challenges, noting that fire safety advice often “falls on deaf ears.” He dispelled the myth that Maltese stone buildings cannot catch fire, stressing that interior contents are the primary risk. He also reiterated the danger of drivers failing to pull over for emergency vehicles.
Renato Agius added that CPD members had gained invaluable experience assisting in international operations in countries like Greece, Portugal, and Turkey.
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