Malta gained 81 points in the Euro Health Consumer Index for 2015 when matched with last year. This led to Malta going up 4 places in the European Health classification and is now in 23rd place from 35 countries with 663 points. In comparison, the previous year Malta classified in 27th place with 582 points out of a total 1000.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Chris Fearne commented with "Our efforts in the health sector are bearing fruit. We still have a way to go, yet our hard work is being recognized. This result shows that Malta is on the right tack and that, month by month, there are positive changes happening in the Health sector"

Among many points where Malta shone, there is cancer treatment which is given in less than 21 days, access to family doctors, dental health, cataract operations, kidney transplants, dialysis held outside hospital doors, and long-term care for the elderly.

Aspects which lost Malta a number of points are the lack of physical activity in general and the fact that we have a comparatively high rate of congenital problems in newborns as a consequence of abortion being illegal.

Dr Fearne also said that "throughout 2016, we will continue building on our success and, among others, we will focus on the 'patient charter' and 'e-prescription', which are two sectors which we are weak in, even according to the index. These things apart from the upcoming development in Gozo, St Luke's and Karen Grech Hospital."

Minister for Energy and Health, Konrad Mizzi also said that the government will continue working to better services offered by means of more investment in equipment and medical staff. There are also other projects to be announced in the coming weeks.