Investment in a new MRI at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital

A new MRI has been inaugurated at St. Vincent de Paul, with an investment of approximately €1.8 million co-financed by European funds. The inauguration was attended by Minister Jo Etienne Abela, Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Parliamentary Secretary Malcolm Paul Agius Galea. It was explained how this investment in the 1.5T MRI represents an important leap in the quality of the services offered, as it allows for more complex examinations with a high level of accuracy. This will lead to better diagnosis and more effective care for patients. It was announced that the MRI service will start operating from next week, another important step towards a more modern, efficient and patient-centred health system. An investment was also made in human resources with four new radiographers joining St. Vincent de Paul to support the expanded service. The MRI service will be available to both residents and patients aged 60 and over, as part of a strategy to reduce pressure on Mater Dei Hospital and reduce waiting times. The Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela explained how the Government is continuing to invest in the health sector through a capital investment exceeding five million euros in the Diagnostic Imaging Unit at St. Vincent. Among them are the range of services that have been introduced in recent years in modern and advanced portable imaging equipment, a Bone Density machine, ultrasound units, a state-of-the-art CT scanner and a new MRI. He said that through this investment today, around 5,000 people will benefit in the first year. "Today we are seeing another promise fulfilled and another important step for health and aging in our country with the introduction of the sixth MRI machine. The Government remains committed to continuing to invest in health services for the benefit of the Gozitan and Maltese people," concluded Dr Abela. The Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, said that this project, co-financed by European funds, clearly demonstrates how health services in our country are continuing to be strengthened in a practical and effective way. “Through modern equipment and advanced technology, we are not only improving the quality of service, but we are also reducing waiting times and increasing efficiency. These are investments that continue to build a more resilient health system prepared for the needs of today and the future,” concluded Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi. The Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing, Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, expressed his appreciation for everyone involved in making this significant step a reality, so that it can now bear fruit in terms of a closer and more convenient service for older people. "St. Vincent de Paul has continued to work continuously to improve and expand its operations so that the elderly in the community are served in the most exceptional way. If we look only towards 2026, St. Vincent de Paul has also launched a Renal Unit and expanded the building related to the pharmacy, at the same time as works are coming to an end on a psychogeriatric ward which is due to start operating from the beginning of May," reiterated Parliamentary Secretary Agius Galea. Photos (DOI-MHA/MFI)