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4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 JULY 2025 NEWS HealthCare Professions Act, 2003 (Act No. XII of 2003) Elections for the Appeals Committee Nominations of Candidates It is hereby notified that, for the purpose of Regulations 4 of the Appeals Commit- tee (Elections) Regulations 2004, the nomination/s of candidate/s to fill the post of one registered nurse OR one licensed midwife as member of the Appeals Committee, in accordance with the provisions of Section 49 of the Health Care Pro- fessions Act 2003 (Cap. 464) will be received by the Electoral Commission of the Council for Nurses and Midwives, at the Boardroom of the Public Health Regulation Department St Luke's Hospital Level 1 Ex OPD G'Mangia Square Pieta ,on Friday 5th July 2019 between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00p.m.(noon) and on Monday 8th July between 10.00am-12.00pm (noon) The nomination forms for candidates are obtainable from the Council's Registrar Office from Monday 1st July 2019 to Thursday 4th July 2019 between 10,00am and 12,00pm or can be downloaded from https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/reg- counc/cnm/Pages/cnm.aspx Jesmond Sharples Josianne Sultana Jeffrey Ellul Electoral Commissioner Electoral Commissioner Electoral Commissioner Two die in separate swimming incidents at Sliema and Xlendi HE police are investigating two separate incidents in which in- dividuals lost their lives while swimming. The first incident occurred at around 1am, when police were informed that a 25-year- old man from Nepal, residing in Qormi, had been admitted to Mater Dei Hospital after encountering difficulties while swimming in the Exiles area of Sliema. Preliminary investigations indicate the victim had gone swimming with friends when, for reasons yet to be deter- mined, he found himself in distress. His friends managed to pull him out of the water and immediately called for as- sistance. He was certified dead shortly after being admitted to hospital. Exiles, Sliema The second incident took place at approximately 7:15am in Xlendi Bay, Gozo, where police were requested to assist after a person was spotted un- conscious in the sea. Bystanders provided first aid and brought the man to shore. A medical team arrived on the scene shortly afterwards, but unfortunately, the 67-year-old man from Munxar, Gozo, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police investigations into both incidents are ongoing. Magis- trates' inquiries have been ap- pointed. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Elderly home nurses get palliative care training, government announces NEARLY all residential homes for the el- derly across Malta are now equipped to offer professional palliative care, following specialised training provided to 416 nurs- es by Active Ageing and Community Care (AACC). The government announced the initia- tive has been rolled out in both state-run homes and in facilities where the govern- ment purchases beds. The goal is to ensure that patients with serious conditions—such as cancer, mo- tor neurone disease, dementia, stroke, and respiratory or cardiac illnesses—can re- ceive comprehensive care within the com- fort of their residential home, avoiding the need for hospital transfers. The development was announced by Health and Active Ageing Minister Jo Etienne Abela and Parliamentary Secre- tary for Active Ageing Malcolm Paul Agius Galea. Minister Abela said the project has been in progress for over two years and reflects the government's commitment to enhanc- ing palliative care in public residential homes. "This is a holistic concept that ties in- to the National Palliative Care Strategy launched in recent weeks. We remain committed to further investing in and im- proving services in this area for the benefit of Maltese and Gozitan patients," he said. "I am pleased to note that we now have a record number of nurses trained to deliver this sensitive care with dedication and pro- fessionalism in every residential home. We began with a pilot project and have now reached a stage where this form of care is being provided delicately and appropriate- ly in the very place where older people live and feel comfortable," Agius Galea said. The care provided includes symptom management for issues such as pain, short- ness of breath, nausea, agitation, depres- sion, and more. It is delivered by a multi- disciplinary team that includes doctors, geriatricians, nurses, carers, psychothera- pists, practice nurses, social workers, and spiritual directors. As part of the programme, protocols and procedures have been developed, and each home has received a tailored medical equipment kit alongside practical training for staff. Since the project's inception, 64 residents have received comprehensive palliative care, while hundreds more have benefited from support services related to the initi- ative. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Since the project's inception, 64 residents have received comprehensive palliative care