More specialized services for the elderly with the aim of reducing waiting times and pressure on Mater Dei
St. Vincent de Paul will continue to strengthen specialized health services for the elderly through the expansion of ophthalmology and Avastin services, with the addition of five more clinics to the 13 ophthalmology clinics already in operation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg and Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing Deo Debattista announced this investment during a visit to St. Vincent de Paul. Together with St. Vincent de Paul Chief Executive Jorgen Souness, they toured the services at the new clinics and saw first-hand the work being done in the field of ophthalmology.
The service is available to both residents of St. Vincent de Paul and seniors over 60 years of age, and includes specialized eye exams, eye-related procedures and interventions, screening for diabetes-related complications, as well as ongoing follow-ups so that conditions that may affect vision are identified and treated.
With the addition of five more clinics, more patients will be able to be given appointments in a shorter time. The expansion should also help to reduce waiting lists for ophthalmological consultations and Avastin treatment, while further reducing pressure on the respective services at Mater Dei Hospital.
From January 2026 to date, clinics at St. Vincent de Paul have seen 863 patients for ophthalmological care and 1,063 patients for Avastin treatment. The Avastin service involves the administration of injections into the eye that help reduce swelling in the retina, thereby reducing the risk of further vision loss and preserving the patient’s visual function.
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg said that this expansion is part of the work to make more health services accessible to patients and provided in the most suitable environment for their needs.
“We are continuing to strengthen health services by investing in greater accessibility and in specialized care closer to the patient. With these new clinics, more seniors will be able to benefit from ophthalmological services at St. Vincent de Paul, with more comfort and in less time, as we continue to work to reduce waiting times. Ultimately, this investment in vision care means a much better life and more independence for our seniors,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista said that the development of specialized services at St. Vincent de Paul is part of a broader direction so that the elderly have access to more care in an environment that is close to them.
“When we talk about active ageing, we also want to ensure that our elderly have access to quality and timely health services. Sight has a direct impact on a person’s independence and quality of life. Therefore, through this expansion we are continuing to bring specialised care closer to the elderly, both those residing at St Vincent de Paul and those living in the community,” said Dr Debattista.
St. Vincent de Paul’s CEO Jorgen Souness explained that the expansion continues to build on the clinical services being offered by the facility, with the aim of St. Vincent de Paul continuing to strengthen its role in providing specialized care for the elderly.
This is also a promise of the electoral manifesto that is being fulfilled in the first months of this legislature, through the measure relating to the strengthening and expansion of health services for the elderly. This investment is also in line with the direction of the Malta 2050 Vision, in particular with Pillar 2 – Accessible and person-centred services, where one of the key indicators is the increase in healthy life years. Thus, the strengthening of ophthalmology services is not only fulfilling an electoral commitment, but is contributing to a long-term vision for a better quality of life, more independence and more healthy life years for the elderly.
This initiative forms part of the ongoing work for St. Vincent de Paul to continue developing health services for the elderly and offer quality specialized care closer to them.
Photos: ODPM-MFH/DOI
