During the opening of MedTech World Europe, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg stressed that Malta has the potential to become a starting point for innovation in the medical sector, through closer collaboration between Government, health professionals, academics and industry.
“We are sending a clear message that we are open to more collaboration and new ideas that will improve healthcare in our country. The health system offers the experience and skills of those who provide care, but we must ensure that we use them to create collaborations with the industry, especially when it comes to innovative services that we can use for the benefit of the patient,” said Ian Borg.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg explained how Malta’s small size can be one of its advantages. The proximity between decision-makers, healthcare professionals, academic institutions and industry offers the opportunity to identify challenges and bring relevant people together to develop solutions. Together with Malta’s membership of the European Union, this agility can help our country become a starting point for innovations that can also be used beyond our shores.
This conference further highlights Malta’s ambition to be an active partner in the development of future health technologies. To this end, the Ministry is exploring the possibility of a more structured programme of research, development and innovation in digital health, which brings together clinical knowledge with industry capabilities.
Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri stated that through Vision Malta 2050, they are giving a clear direction to our country’s economy, with an emphasis on innovative and value-added sectors such as advanced manufacturing and medical technology.
“€150 million investments by Vantive and a €60 million expansion by Baxter are concrete examples of this direction. At the same time, Maltese startup, Garland Surgical is demonstrating how research at the University of Malta can be transformed into concrete commercial opportunities, with the support of Malta Enterprise and the Malta Venture Capital Fund. Our aim is to continue to attract international investment, strengthen Maltese enterprises and create more quality jobs in economic sectors of the future,” said Minister Schembri.
For his part, Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry for Health Deo Debattista also stressed the importance of keeping up with the latest updates in medicine.
“This is one of the most important conferences, which serves as a platform for technology in medicine. Technology that in the coming years will completely change the way we practice medicine and how our patients receive their care. Therefore, it is important that we not only be present, but that we actively participate in these conferences, in order to gain as much knowledge as possible that will lead to better care for our patients,” said Dr Debattista.
Launched in 2020, MedTech World has become one of the fastest growing ecosystems in the industry, and today has a presence in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, where it is driving global collaboration and accelerating innovation in healthcare technology.
Photos: DOI/ODPM-MFH/METP
