New health centres, increase in free IVF services
Two new health centres
Throughout the year 2018, the government will invest in two new health centres in Kirkop and Paola, which will serve as regional centres. The work on the Kirkop health centre will begin this month while works on the latter have begun. Refurbishment of existing health centres will also take place throughout the year. The refurbishment of the Gżira Health Centre will take priority.
National Cancer Research Foundation
A National Cancer Research Foundation will be created in order to incentivise research which could help fight cancer in Malta. Investment in prevention, particularly through campaigns which focus on the lifestyles of citizens, will be launched with the hope of reducing the incidence of particular types of cancer.
Diabetes, HIV, Hepatitis C treatment
Throughout 2018, the government will be investing more in the fight against diabetes, particularly with the extension of the ‘glucose monitoring sticks’ programme and access to analogue insulins. Treatment for HIV and Hepatitis C is also going to be improved.
Vaccine against Pneumococcus
The vaccine against pneumococcus is going to be introduced within the Programme of National Vaccines, which helps reduce grievous infections in children under five years of age, including meningitis and blood infections.
Children with autism
Work in favour of children with autism is another pledge the government is committed to.
Increase in free IVF services
The extension of the service will be supported in the law which will reflect technological advances so that more couples will be able to benefit from the service.
New Gozo hospital
The new hospital will have 350 beds. There are also plans to create a health centre for primary care and a centre for medical research.
St Luke’s hospital
St Luke’s will be turned into a new rehabilitation hospital, a centre for orthopaedics and prosthetics, and a dermatology centre. Karen Grech will be turned into a geriatric centre.
New out-patients block, parking at Mater Dei
Works on the new out-patients block at Mater Dei will continue, increasing the number of clinics. A new underground parking area is also in the pipeline. For both projects will involve private-public partnerships.