During the past few decades, the tiny island of Gozo has endured a chronic, ever-increasing shortage of community accommodation for its elderly citizens. The problem is compounded by a fast-aging population and its young people moving to Malta or beyond - leaving their parents to fend for themselves as they get on in years. A handful of church-run homes for the elderly bravely cater for a few hundred senior citizens but their supply runs nowhere near the demand. The less fortunate have to make do with the shelter provided at Gozo General Hospital, where couples cannot remain together, as men are accommodated separately from women.
On being appointed as Minister responsible for Gozo, one of my very first acts was to acquire the use of Casa San Giuseppe from the Gozo diocese. To obtain the necessary funds for the rent, I used the savings made by terminating the lease of part of a private hotel that used to house the Land and Public Registry, relocating them in government-owned property. In this way, without spending a single additional euro from public funds, I acquired a prime property for the benefit of Gozo's senior citizens. Fully aware, as is the government, of the need to provide a decent home for senior citizens, the Gozo Curia has transferred the possession of Casa San Giuseppe to the government for use as an old people's home against a consideration that is well below its commercial value.
Following some very intensive work by the Gozo Ministry's in-house architects, a plan for the construction of a new 70 twin-room home for the elderly on the site of Casa San Giuseppe was finally approved by Mepa on 9 October.
The new facility will be integrated into an existing period building, namely the Fort Chambray bailiff's residence. This old building will be restored, with the subsequent additions, which have no historical value, being removed to make way for the new development. The design takes into consideration the existing layout of the Bailiff's residence, which will form the main entrance and reception area of the new home.
All the rooms will have en suite facilities and a balcony with a view of either the landscaped gardens or the sea.
The proposed development faces unobstructed sea views and is south-facing. The home has been designed to cater for mobile people, those with mobility problems and those who are wheel chair-bound, in accordance with access-for-all design guidelines.
An important requirement for such a facility is the integration of public social spaces. Care has been taken to ensure that such spaces will be distributed throughout the home at all levels.
A doctor's clinic, dining area, chapel, offices, hairdressing salon, library, crafts area and administration areas are being proposed in addition to the uses already referred to above.
This project will create space where the elderly including, married couples, can live together in a harmonious and secure environment. As a collateral effect, this development will generate new job opportunities in Gozo.
It is no exaggeration to say that the care of the elderly in Gozo is being transformed from rags to riches.
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo