During a visit to the Birkirkara Health Center the Prime Minister Robert Abela claimed that investment in primary health is crucial for healthier communities and therefore the Government will continue to invest in more health centers modern, with more resources and workers with better conditions.
Accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne, the Prime Minister was able to see how the Birkirkara Health Center was modernized after a major renovation project was completed in July this year with an investment of €1.1 million from the National Social Funds for Development.
In this locality, the Health Center not only provides a general primary care service, but also provides a service to patients who make use of the specialized podiatry center. The center is also equipped with a warehouse that supplies medical equipment to all the health centers spread across Malta. The Prime Minister had the opportunity to meet not only the professionals, nurses and all the workers who are part of this center, but he heard from patients themselves what such a continuous investment translates into their health.
The 35,000 residents from the Birkirkara, Balzan, Iklin and Lija watersheds benefit from this center alone. The Prime Minister reiterated how investment in the heart of the community in the various sectors is crucial in the Government’s policy that works for the common good and a fairer Malta. Within a month of its opening, the center offered its services to more than 5,000 people with the aim of continuing to improve the level of the Maltese people in a top quality environment. The services offered at this centre, which include a family doctor’s clinic, a baby clinic and eye care services, among others. In fact, primary health care can cover 80% to 90% of an individual’s health needs over the course of their life.
The Prime Minister thanked all the workers of this center for the work they do every day with so much dedication and love in favor of the patient. He also noted the level of professional communication they work with when the patient enters the center and through which an immediate and comfortable relationship is built between the individual who visits the center and the professional who is offering his service.
The modernization and improvement program in primary health care and community clinics is supported by the grant of €10 million from the National Development Social Fund (NDSF). This shows the Government’s commitment to continue investing in national health care services to ensure that patients continue to enjoy the best possible care; one that is closer to their homes.
The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister were accompanied by the Mayor of Birkirkara Joanne Debono Grech and the CEO of Primary Health Care Roseanne Camilleri. After the visit to the health center, the Prime Minister met with the community of Birkirkara by visiting a number of businesses in the locality as part of a series of continuous visits in which the Prime Minister is in the community Maltese listens to people’s aspirations and needs.
Photos: OPM, DOI.
