Government will embark on the creation of a long-term strategic plan for healthcare for the years 2020-2030, Minister Scicluna said.

He noted that, in a sector like healthcare, a long-term strategy is needed to ensure that, through national investment, as many people as possible are cared for.

This strategic plan, the budget document reads, will address sectors which might have thus far been cast aside, including mental healthcare. Government bases such strategies on research and evidence, and as such, is already investing in research, the document read. The document highlights that government also feels that the genetics sector needs to be addressed. It reads that the scientific advances in this sector are moving at a fast pace, and Malta needs to keep up. Government will work with the University of Malta to develop this sector, it read. The document also highlights that government intends to, as promised in the National Cancer Plan, launch a foundation to facilitate clinical research in 2019.

Another measure included in the budget will see an increase to the non-contributory medical aid by €5.14 per week to married couples where both adult persons suffer from chronic illness and who are receiving this aid.

In 2019, the minister said, a number of new healthcare services will be introduced. Government will invest in a new mental healthcare clinic in the north of Malta, the minister said, as well as a day centre and hostels which will allow patients with minor mental health problems to continue living within the community, and remain as active as possible.

Another mental healthcare investment, he said, will see a specialised clinic developed at the Marsa Primary school to provide sensory integration therapy for children who have difficulties which do not allow them to fully participate in education, such as children with autism.

The minister also said that the Children and Young People Services, which currently forms part of St Luke’s Hospital, will be moved to an alternative more adequate location.

He said that preparations are also underway for a new acute hospital in the vicinity of Mater Dei Hospital. He said that government also plans on building a new block with services for outpatients at Mater Dei Hospital, which in turn will allow for the expansion of inpatient services in the section which today accommodates the outpatients section. Tied to this, will be the construction of a new 500 space underground car park. There are also plans for investment in other services, such as robotic surgery, and the strengthening of services like IVF.

Government intends to provide more financial support for patients who want to travel between Malta and Gozo. While government is improving the quality of healthcare in Gozo through the presence of Barts Medical School and the construction of a new hospital, Scicluna said, government is aware that there are a number of Gozitans who need to travel to Malta for treatment, especially when it comes to cancer treatment. From 1 January, he said, the scheme regarding travel reimbursement for patients undergoing treatment for cancer at Mater Dei Hospital will be revised, and will also be given to an adult accompanying the patient. This will also be given to Maltese patients going for treatment in Gozo. An additional allowance will be given to help with the accommodation in Malta and Gozo, according to the case.

Government, Scicluna said, is committed to supporting new services addressed to Trans persons, through a multidisciplinary team as well as new medicines and procedures.

He also highlighted a joint government- Hospice Movement- church initiative, where government will support the creation of a new St Michael Centre, which will provide palliative care.

The minister also pledged that government will continue investing in new medicines, and improving access to care for the most vulnerable sectors, by increasing innovative cancer treatment.

A committee will be established to consider requests for medicines for rare illnesses or complications, which are not already on the government medicine list for said conditions, and which more often than not cost thousands of Euros per patient.

Government also plans on investing more in tackling Hepatitis C and HIV, with the aim of eliminating such illnesses from Malta.