Labour MP Karl Chircop is in ‘deep coma’ at Mater Dei Hospital after suffering from a cerebral haemorrhage (stroke), the Health Division said yesterday morning.
The Malta Labour Party said his condition was precarious, after Chircop was rushed into hospital on Sunday night. Yesterday tests were being taken in a bid to stabilize Chircop’s condition, which stays critical.
Labour leader Joseph Muscat yesterday visited Chircop again in hospital, at the Intensive Therapy Unit.
The MLP yesterday thanked the ITU staff in the name of the Chircop family, and called for the privacy of the family to be respected. Relatives and friends have been asked not to phone and not to call at the hospital.
The Health Division said the Chircop family has expressed its gratitude for the strong sense of solidarity shown to it by all sectors of Maltese society.
The Chircop family was also being assisted by close family friend Dr Vincent Moran, and Labour MPs Dr Michael Farrugia and Prof. Anthony Zammit.
On Monday evening, at the start of Labour’s extraordinary general conference, leader Joseph Muscat thanked the general public for showing its solidarity with the Chircop family.
The Labour leadership visited him on Monday morning, and were in constant contact with his wife, Adriana. Muscat also thanked parliamentary secretary for health Joe Cassar for his assistance.
Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola yesterday said the Green Party felt close to Karl Chircop and his dearest ones in this difficult moment.
“In moments like this we are all reminded of the how dear life is and how we must all show solidarity with those who are suffering. Keep fighting, Karl.”
Chircop was recently appointed shadow minister for health. He is a doctor by profession, and was involved in politics from an early age as a member of the University Students’ Council and the Labour youth section. He is a father of four.
He was elected to parliament in 1996, and has been returned to his seat ever since.
As a child he lived in Paola before his parents moved to neighbouring Santa Lucija. He recently moved to Gudja.
A great football fan, Chircop is an avid Liverpool supporter, even watching Liverpool matches abroad with close family friend and the man he regards as his second father, former Labour minister Dr Vincent Moran.