The new Kirkop health centre was officially opened today. The €1 million centre investment is the first new health centre to open in 20 years.

Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat remarked that as from Monday, 28,000 locals and people from the surrounding areas will now have access to more health services and higher quality treatment.

This new centre will also have a positive impact on the one situated in Floriana, Muscat explained, as patients will be better distributed among the island, leading to the Floriana centre to have better quality care due to having to deal with fewer patients.

“Local health centres ensure that the health system is not solely focused on one point, this being Mater Dei Hospital. Therefore, in cases where the need for hospital care is not a priority, the first place of treatment would be a health centre,” he said.

Minister for Health Chris Fearne was also present and announced that this health centre was a single link in the chain of new services and projects for primary health care.

“Next year, through collaboration with the Ministry of Gozo, we will be inaugurating a new health centre in Rabat, whilst at the same time starting works on the Paola Hub. We do this because we believe the patient is entitled to the best healthcare in his vicinity”