More investment to continue modernizing the health service in our country
- Prime Minister Robert Abela continues the consultative dialogue ahead of Budget 2027, this time with representatives of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, MUMN
Prime Minister Robert Abela continued with the pre-Budget 2027 consultation meetings, this time with a meeting with the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, MUMN, which was held at the Ċensu Moran Regional Health Centre.
During the meeting, Dr Abela stressed that investment in the health sector must continue to go hand in hand with investment in workers. In this context, he made reference to the two collective agreements that were recently signed with the MUMN and that are improving the conditions and professional opportunities of around 180 workers, through better allowances, more structured training and new opportunities for career progression.
Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that during the first hundred days of this Government, the health sector was one of the areas in which various measures and projects were announced and began to be implemented. He said that these initiatives show the direction we are taking as a Government where more investment in infrastructure, technology, treatments and, above all, in health professionals is being fully prioritised.
He mentioned how, since the beginning of this month, specialists working in the private sector, including family doctors, have access to a wider range of blood tests and ultrasound tests in hospitals and state health institutions for their patients. A few days ago it was also announced that the medicines they can prescribe directly for certain conditions have also been expanded. This initiative is expected to reduce the need for patients to be referred to other specialists only to be given a prescription.
Dr Abela also made reference to the increased support for children and young people with type 1 diabetes who use insulin pumps, as additional infusion sets, cartridges and waterproof dressings are now being provided.
He also made reference to wider access to IVF, where the cycles offered free of charge have increased from three to five and the use of PGT-M has been expanded to more genetic conditions.
Reference was also made to the infrastructural investments that are progressing. He said that in Mater Dei, work has begun on the extension of the Emergency Department and a new unit for acute mental health care, with an investment of €120 million. With this project, the Emergency Department in Mater Dei is expected to increase from 35 to 70 treatment rooms, while 48 beds have also been added in two new wards. In Gozo, work is continuing on a new helipad at the General Hospital.
Dr Abela also made reference to the mental health sector, mentioning the CLiC Centre, Connected Living & Inclusion Centre at Mount Carmel Hospital. This is giving patients safer and supervised access to digital technology to communicate with family, access online services, develop digital skills and better prepare for reintegration into the community. This also ties in with the opening of two new wards at Mount Carmel, while other wards are being renovated.
Prime Minister Robert Abela reiterated the Government’s determination that Budget 2027 will continue to strengthen health services and professions. Through open dialogue, mutual respect and concrete work with all those involved, the Government is committed to continuing to work towards an increasingly efficient, modern and patient-friendly health system.
Also present during this consultative meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Ministers Chris Fearne and Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista, as well as the Head of the Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mark Mallia.
Photo: OPM/DOI
