Prime Minister Joseph Muscat inaugurated the Barts Anatomy Centre in Gozo this afternoon.

Muscat welcomed the opening as a step towards turning Gozo into a centre of medical excellence, describing it as the beginning of a long-term relationship with the Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

He described the investment by Steward Health Care as a “statement of intent”, noting it as evidence that the goal of turning Malta and Gozo into a global leader in the healthcare sector would be reached.

Construction is still ongoing, and the hospital is expected to be completed in spring 2019.

The facility includes an anatomy lab, a dedicated area for dissection and embalming, as well as facilities for showing clinical images, videos of surgical procedures and specialized computer imaging.

Present for the inauguration were Steve Thornton, the Vice Principal for Barts, and Steward Health Care president, Armin Ernst, as well as Health Minister Chris Fearne.

Thornton insisted that they intend to contribute to the government’s vision for the healthcare sector through training of medical professionals with all the skills needed to provide exceptional healthcare, with the help of the government and their educational partners in Malta.

Ernst hailed the event as a huge first step into improving the healthcare in the community they serve.