“The 2023 Budget has allocated an absolute record for expenditure in the field of health”, stressed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne during a news conference during which he explained the main projects in the field of – health that will be possible through the allocation of one billion and six million euros allocated for 2023.
The deputy prime minister gave a list of the extensive program of projects intended for the next year, which include the national strategy on palliative care, the updated strategy on sexual health, the digitalization strategy and the extension of telemedicine. He continued by visiting the various main areas in the field of health where he gave a list of the main projects that will be launched.
Regarding Mater Dei Hospital, he referred to the ambitious projects of the new Outpatients building, the new car parks, the extension of the Emergency Department, Medical Imaging and the investment in new cardiac catheterization suite. This is in addition to an investment program in updated equipment for the same hospital.
He also spoke about the renovation of the Boffa Hospital wards which will be ready for the eventuality of an influx of beds during the winter season. This is while several discussions are ongoing with the private sector regarding the development of additional beds and the use of the operation theaters in order to alleviate the waiting lists that have increased as a result of the pandemic.
Regarding primary health care, the deputy prime minister said that he will continue the program of opening new health centers and hospitals around Malta and Gozo and renovating the existing ones. This while the medical services offered in the community will continue to increase. These include visiting services related to the GU clinic, mental health and oncology. In this regard, he meant that the budget for next year also provides for the chemotherapy service in the patients’ homes, where it is medically possible and recommended by the treating specialist. He also referred to the opening of the Vincent Moran Regional Health Center which is expected to start receiving patients in 2023, which will be offering various primary care services, mental health care, emergency services and services of outpatients, which until now were only offered by Mater Dei Hospital.
The 2023 Budget will allow the health authorities to continue adding medicines to the government’s formulary, explained the deputy prime minister, who referred to the extension of the free HPV vaccination for boys, the -introduction of new medicines for people suffering from multiple sclerosis, diabetes, osteoporosis and the medicines related to the IVF services offered by the ART Clinic, among others.
Regarding care in the field of mental health, the deputy prime minister referred to the programs that were launched throughout this year and that are allowing the desired results with fewer patients needing to be hospitalized , and which will continue to increase over the next year. Regarding the Monte Karmeli Hospital, he claimed that the extensive renovation project will continue with the opening of more renovated wards expected for next year. This while the work will continue in order to start the construction of the new acute mental health care hospital.
Deputy Prime Minister Fearne also referred to the Health Workforce Strategy which was launched on Tuesday morning in the presence of representatives of the World Health Organization. He said that this document will help the department make strategic decisions when it comes to workers in the health field, which is the second largest employer in the country, with almost 9,000 employees.
He announced that from October 31, both the flu vaccine and the Omicron booster will be offered to all people over the age of 12. He appealed to the public to protect themselves from the seasonal flu and from the COVID-19 by visiting the health centers and clinics in the community scheduled for these vaccines, free of charge.
