The archdiocese of Malta and the Malta Hospice Movement signed an official agreement for the establishment of Malta's first state-of-the-art hospice complex.
In a press conference held at the Archbishop's Curia in Floriana, the agreement established St Michael's Hospice, which will be entirely dedicated to providing comprehensive palliative care.
The first of its kind complex will be due to open in 2021 offering palliative care for patients with serious medical conditions.
As a result of the agreement, presided over by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, the Archdiocese will be making available to the Hospice Movement the land and buildings formerly known as Adelaide Cini institute in St Veneta, for a period of 50 years. The value of land covering a floor area of 9,000 sqaure metres over two floors and another 6,800 square metres of outside garden area, is worth approximately €8 million.
Speaking to The Malta Independent, chairperson of Malta Hospice Movement Maria Gatt said the movement already runs a hospital of palliative care and this will continue to operate. With the new hospital, the total number of beds in both complexes will rise to 34. Gatt confirmed that various stakeholders would be called upon in proving the service but stated that the NGO will continue to run on fund-raising.
The hospice will be the first and only centre of palliative care to patients, and allow for an in-patient unit to cater for patients requiring pain and symptom management.
Day therapy services and clinics, as well as educational course for the continuous professional development of Hospice staff and other palliative specialists, will also be given within the complex.
Hospice Malta confirmed that infrastructural works will begin as the permits are obtained from the Planning Authority.
Hospice Malta thanked the Archbishop and stressed that such a place would provide dignity and positivity to those who are scared of death.
The archbishop said that this project would be the church's response to tangibly supporting patients requiring palliative care.
Hospice Malta, a registered NGO with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, offers all of its services free of charge to patients in Malta and Gozo.