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Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela presided over the signing of an agreement between the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing and the four Royal Colleges of Surgeons of the United Kingdom, which will lead to the establishment of a new school model of excellence in ten surgical disciplines.
Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that our country has been working in collaboration with the British Royal Colleges for decades. “Today is a historic moment in the history of surgery in our country and precisely on the 350th anniversary of the opening of the first surgical training school in our country, founded by Grand Master Nikola Kottoner, we are taking another important step for surgery in Malta,” reiterated Dr Abela.
The Malta School of Surgery will provide a new platform for aspiring surgeons to have a digital training and assessment experience that is in line with British systems of excellence.
Minister Abela explained how this model will ensure that aspiring surgeons receive training and assessment of the highest level, identical to that in the UK. He explained how with this first investment of €500,000 over the next three years, the Government is affirming its vision of improving the quality of surgery which will lead to an improvement in people's quality of life.
"Malta is making great strides in this sector with high-level training that continues to strengthen health services in our country. The Ministry is currently subsidising around 50 surgeons per year to receive practical training in the United Kingdom and we are committed to continuing to support our professionals in providing the best care to Gozitan and Maltese patients," concluded Minister Abela.
Also present for this event were the Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing Malcolm Paul Agius Galea and the Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Malta Tristan Gilchrist. The Director of the Malta School of Surgery is Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr John Casaletto.
