Language barriers are creating problems for non-speaking foreigners, including migrants, as well as doctors at Mater Dei Hospital and other health centres, where no proper interpreter system exists, this paper has learnt.

Sources explained that non-English speaking migrants and other foreigners would find it very hard to explain their problems, making it difficult for doctors to come up with a correct diagnosis.

One source said: “It can be difficult for Maltese-speaking persons to correctly describe the pain they are feeling, let alone for a Sub-Saharan African who can barely grasp a few words in English.

“The same can be said for tourists – many who visit Malta do not speak English – although finding a doctor who speaks Italian, Spanish or French might not be that difficult.”

Medical Association of Malta President Gordon Caruana Dingli confirmed that the language barrier is a real problem which is mostly felt in the A&E section. “When we see patients at the outpatients section they are usually accompanied by a translator, even though I do not know who takes care of that. The problem is when non- English-speaking foreigners are brought into the emergency department, especially during the middle of the night.” More.

See: The Malta Independent

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