The Malta Hospice Movement has been trying for the past six years to acquire a plot of land on which to build an inpatient unit where terminally ill patients can spend their last days in peace and quiet, surrounded by their relatives.

Things have been moving at a slow pace, however, and so far discussions with the current and previous administrations have bore little fruit. During the past legislature no less than eight sites were identified but all turned out to be problematic, for various reasons.

Speaking during a visit at the Balzan centre by PN Leader Simon Busuttil, Hospice Vice President, Dr Vincent Zammit said that the recent cabinet reshuffle also derailed the process. “We had had meetings with Dr Godfrey Farrugia but things changed when he was replaced. We were supposed to have a meeting with Health and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi this week but it has been postponed.”

Dr Zammit said that the special unit would cost around €8 million, including the cost of the equipment. The unit would also free up beds at Mater Dei, where there would be less patients lying on stretchers in hospital corridors. Hospice is proposing to run the centre as a public-private partnership but added that the government would only have to fork out a fraction of the costs, since most of the work would be carried out by Hospice volunteers.

Addressing the Hospice management after touring the Balzan centre, Dr Busuttil pledged the Opposition’s support to the organisation. “Your work is impressive,” he said. “You are giving your patients dignity, which is the most important thing a person can have.”

Dr Busuttil noted that the PN is working in the interests of patietns even from the Opposition benches. The PN will today present a parliamentary motion concerning hosptital waiting lists. “Under new EU law, patients who have been on waiting lists for a long time have the right to do the same medical procedure in another EU member state. What we want to do is give Maltese patients the choice to have the procedure carried out locally, in private hospitals. This will save time for the patients and money for the government.”

The PN Leader also noted that the Parliamentary Health Committee was set on a proposal by the Opposition.