In a press conference addressed by Prime Minister Robert Abela, Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri and President of the Puttinu Cares Foundation Angele Cuschieri, it was announced that the Government will be coordinating the funding of €25 million to build the New Holistic Care Centre for Children and Families in Mosta and to be managed by Puttinu Cares. Apart from the costs associated with the building, the funding will include the operation of this Centre for the first five years. The funding for this project will come from substantial philanthropic donations linked to Citizenship by Merit.
Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed that this funding comes after the Government had already allocated public land for Puttinu Cares to now build this Centre which is not only one for treatment but will also offer support with a number of services including psychology, therapy and even educational services for children to continue their studies during treatment. The Centre, for which there are also funds from the Social Causes Fund, will also help families who are going through difficult moments including due to loss of life.
Dr Abela stressed that this is the way we believe a Government that is truly there for the people should act. “The Malta we want is a Malta where in times of need, families find a Government that has the resources and the will to support them”, said the Prime Minister, stressing that as a Government we believe in policies that make a real difference in people’s lives. “Today we are declaring, following unanimous agreement in Parliament on legal amendments, that those who will make substantial philanthropic donations to Puttinu Cares for this project will be considered for citizenship on the basis of merit, provided they pass other stages such as due diligence,” explained Prime Minister Robert Abela.
The Prime Minister referred to experiences he had with Puttinu Cares, including when he visited families in the United Kingdom, and described Puttinu Cares as a family that offers a shoulder to those going through difficult times. He thanked Puttinu Cares for its valuable work, including through the deployment of volunteers in Malta, where solidarity is strong. He said that with Puttinu Cares and the families, the Government will be with them in support in a united Malta.
At the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, Minister Byron Camilleri said, “This Puttinu project is a project that will take support to another level for those who have undergone cancer treatment. That is why we consider it a project of national importance and it is a project that we believe deserves every support to start working as soon as possible, and to be operated in the best possible way.”
He added, “Therefore, we want to ensure that this project, which the Government has already begun to support, including with land, has both the material resources necessary to complete and operate, but also the professional skills to explore providing services in Malta that we do not yet have. “It is in this context that we are ready to apply the provisions of the citizenship by merit law as unanimously approved by Parliament earlier this year, so that anyone who makes a significant and substantial philanthropic contribution to this project will be considered for citizenship. Naturally, this is in accordance with strict regulations and various other requirements. However, our thinking is clear. This is an important project for Malta and of national interest because it touches so many families and it is a beautiful connection that one can have with the creation and operation of a project of this type that will help so many families, particularly children.”
At the same press conference, which was held in front of a number of families receiving assistance from Puttinu Cares, including a number of children, the President of Puttinu Cares Angele Cuschieri said that this project will serve to ensure that Puttinu Cares welcomes and is immediately there for families in times of hardship. “We will walk the path during this difficult time with them. Just as the projects in the United Kingdom were of enormous benefit, where we are serving thousands of patients and families, we believe that this project, this time in Mosta, will alleviate much of the suffering of these families”, said Angele Cuschieri. She explained how the culture of our country is so strong that when we see someone going through a difficult time, we unite and do everything possible to give them the support and dignity they deserve.
After the press conference, Prime Minister Robert Abela, along with his wife Dr Lydia Abela, Ministers Byron Camilleri and Jo Etienne Abela and the leadership of Puttinu Cares visited the children hospitalized in Rainbow Ward at Mater Dei Hospital. There they also had some time to meet with families and professionals. The children were given a Christmas gift as a result of the generosity of the Maltese and Gozitan people during this year’s Rigal bi Mħabba initiative.
Photo: DOI/OPM
