Donation of a Mobile Clinic by the Sovereign Order of Malta
The Sovereign Order of Malta has donated a mobile clinic and a support minivan to the Government of Malta. This followed a promise made by H.M.E.H. the Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing during the course of his State Visit to Malta in April 2015.
The official Presentation was made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Dr. George Vella and to the Minister of Home Affairs and National Security the Hon. Carmelo Abela by the Grand Hospitaller Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel in the presence of the very recently appointed Grand Chancellor ad interim Fra’ John E. Critien at the Marsa Open Centre on Thursday 22 December 2016.
In a brief speech, the Grand Hospitaller highlighted the Order’s mission, in a Christian spirit, to assist all those in need with particular reference to migrants. The donation of the mobile clinic and support minivan would serve this purpose, and would furthermore enhance the excellent relations existing between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Republic of Malta.
In reply, both the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as the Minister of Home Affairs and National Security thanked the Sovereign Order of Malta for this noble gesture, and gave assurances that the vehicles would be put to very good use. The migration problem was a reality which is here to stay.
The vehicles are intended to be used for emergency response purposes amongst others by the Agency for Welfare of Asylum Seekers, an agency falling under the remit of the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security.
The ceremony was also attended on the part of the Maltese Association by President Daniel de Petri Testaferrata and Hospitaller Kevin F. Dingli, as well as by Council Members Helene Zammit and Karen Miller.
The role of the Maltese Association in the matter was to assist the Grand Magistry in procuring the minivan from local sources, as well as to provide all required logistical support thereby ensuring a seamless event.
