These students have reported missing belongings while doing their attachment in the operating theatre where they have to completely change their clothes and leave their belongings in changing rooms or specific areas near the changing room. These students were surprised after finishing their attachment to find some of their belongings missing including money and wallets. 

When reporting the incidents to workers in the changing room, the workers helped the students with reporting the incidents. However, they advised students not to leave their belongings in changing rooms but to leave them near the workers’ office, especially since students don’t have lockers to store their items. Students were also advised to keep their wallets and phone on them at all times.

The scene in the changing rooms when the theft was reported to workers shows that it wasn’t the first time such incidents have occurred, and the changing rooms are not the only area where something similar has happened, with a student saying that money was stolen from her wallet last week when she was doing her attachment in the wards. Another student responded by saying that she has been told to never leave money with her belongings in the wards as it always gets stolen.

MMSA statement on the alleged theft

The Third Eye has reached out to MMSA for a response about the alleged theft of student belongings and the following was stated

MMSA strongly condemns the recent alleged incident of theft occurring in Mater Dei Hospital ….

MMSA demanded that greater action needs to be taken in light of these allegations

MMSA would like to call for greater security presence around the hospital, especially in the common area, we believe that all medical students should be provided with a safe and secure place to store their personal belongings whilst on attachments in the hospital without the added stress caused by these alleged incidents

MMSA also didn’t forget the lost belongings of students in these cases, adding

We also urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter with the goal of locating a culprit and returning the alleged stolen personal belongings to their rightful owners

For the full statement click here.

Important note

It’s important to note that everything stated in this article is still allegations and students’ reports with no official statement from the hospital or relevant authorities as of the date of publication.

We have removed all the names and associated information from the messages to protect the right of privacy of the students and have asked for permission to post these texts.

For other MMSA related articles click here.

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When asked about their reactions to the current security crisis at the library, the Library Administration claimed to have been working on the security issue for years, however theft and irresponsibility from the students’ side has always been a prominent setback to their endeavors. Although there are only about 40 lockers left available to date, originally there were 120 lockers implemented. The decrease was due to many students never returning the key for the lockers. Even after €8000 were spent to change the locks the same situation occurred. In fact, the theft of keys is still a prominent issue to date despite the fines imposed on those are caught doing so. That said, the library admins acknowledged that the pigeon holes are ineffective; however they still cannot be taken away as a lot more lockers would be needed to replace them.

With regards to the security measures being taken at the moment, both the cameras and the security staff were deemed to be ineffective.

The thieves cannot easily be identified from camera footage, and the security staff would not be able to discriminate between stolen or owned belongings. Library admins also claimed that it is not the responsibility of the security staff to make sure students’ belongings are not stolen; rather their sole responsibility is to prevent theft of books. Another system of tagging the belongings was introduced as a trial for some time. This system was very effective in terms of security and vastly diminished theft. In spite of its seeming success, it was shortly and abruptly stopped after a brief trial-run as the Library admins claimed that it congested too much traffic of students near the entrance.

The Library admins have confirmed that a long-term solution is in the works, which however, would take a lot of time to be adopted.

The plan would be to expand the storage area and install 450 electronic lockers worth €100,000 in place of the pigeon holes. The lockers would operate with a keypad; thereby eliminating the issue of keys being stolen. Whilst it was ascertained that funds are not an issue; this plan would take time to be put in place due to a lengthy legal process to back it up.

Another optional solution was discussed of an RFID system, where the books would be chipped and gates installed at the exit to prevent theft. This would also mean removing the ‘No Bags’ Policy. This, however would be a more expensive solution estimated at around €1.5 million.

KSU also opted for a short-term solution to the storage issue. They offered to move the coin-operated lockers they have at student house to the library. This is an experimental, short-term solution which would be a precursor to the eventual installation of the electronic lockers.

UPDATE: as of this week library security have also started obliging students to take their valuable belongings up with them if they decide to leave their bags in the pigeon holes or near the entrance.

Aside from the security and storage issues discussed during the meeting, it is also confirmed that KSU is working with the UM Library to get a functioning 24/7 study area. The location in question for this area would be the Library basement, however it would require heavy refurbishment and co-operation on IT Services’ and UM Administration’s sides. That said, the process is very much in the long term.

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