A Specialized Unit will be established for the Management of the National Veterinary Hospital and the strengthening of services and training in the veterinary field.
During a visit to the National Veterinary Hospital to see the work in progress, Minister Anton Refalo, together with Minister Clifton Grima, and Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said announced an important initiative in the field of veterinary services through the establishment of a Specialised Unit for the National Veterinary Hospital, which will serve as a foundation for stronger governance and higher quality service. This initiative is also being carried out in collaboration with MCAST to strengthen the coordinated use of existing facilities and create synergies between institutions.
This unit, which will be led by a Board composed of representatives from both Ministries, will be responsible for the oversight and administration of the operation of the National Veterinary Hospital, which will operate as a public service, including as an emergency facility providing a 24-hour service. This will ensure that animal owners have continuous access to essential veterinary care, especially in urgent and specialized cases that require dedicated facilities in a veterinary hospital.
The Board will be providing strategic direction and assisting in monitoring the hospital’s operations, while ensuring that the project works hand in hand with Government policy and the public interest.
The daily operation of the hospital will be entrusted to a private operator with experience in the management of veterinary services, under a clear and defined contract, while the Specialized Unit will ensure continuous monitoring of performance and compliance with all obligations, always in the public interest. This model offers a balance between operational efficiency and strong public control.
In addition, the hospital will also serve as a training and education centre for MCAST students, where students will be able to practice and gain practical experience in a real clinical environment, with a particular emphasis on MCAST veterinary students. This is a direct investment in the skills and professionals of the future.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo said that this project reflects the Government’s commitment to improving the quality of veterinary services offered and strengthening the system in a sustainable manner. He stressed that this is an important step towards a modern and sustainable system that places the needs of citizens at the centre. He said that the initiative is also an investment in the future, particularly through the educational element that will continue to strengthen skills and competences in the veterinary sector.
Minister Refalo recalled the veterinary emergency services launched in January this year, which are already providing an immediate and crucial response in urgent situations, and said that the opening of the National Veterinary Hospital will continue to build on these services, expand capacity and improve the quality of care offered. Minister Refalo concluded by saying that this project is a clear example of how the Government is working in an integrated manner between different sectors to deliver better services and strengthen long-term sustainability.
The Minister for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima recalled the work carried out together with a foreign university so that today there are 15 students following the Veterinary Medicine course at MCAST. “The Masters in Veterinary Medicine at MCAST is the first course of its kind that allows Maltese students to receive a veterinary warrant locally, while opening the door for them to work in Europe. The course was launched in 2024, with the first group of students expected to graduate in 2029,” said Minister Grima. He added that the curriculum also covers veterinary public health and pharmacology, and provides placements that help students gain professional experience.
Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said said that this project demonstrates the importance that the Government is giving to continuing to invest in modern and professional services for animals, while also strengthening educational opportunities for future generations. She maintained that through this project, veterinary care in Malta will continue to improve and a more accessible, sustainable and quality service will be ensured for animals and their owners.
“This course is providing an important opportunity for Maltese students who for many years had to travel and study abroad to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Today, thanks to this investment, students can obtain high-level qualifications in their own country, while gaining direct practical experience in a professional clinical environment. This not only strengthens the veterinary sector in Malta, but we are also investing in the professionals of the future and in the quality services that animals and their owners deserve,” said Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said.
