All discussions related to healthcare in the Maltese islands must aim to result in “national convergence”, particularly with experts, Prime Minister Robert Abela said Thursday.

Speaking to journalists, Abela stated that “every large medical project that is to be proposed in this country, I believe must be approved by the medical community.”

“It is useless to force a direction that does not achieve convergence, particularly with experts,” the Prime Minister said.

The PM was asked by The Malta Independent whether he agrees with the opinion given by former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, that Malta’s healthcare system is not sustainable.

Abela said that there will “definitely not be a situation” where the government pitches an idea and goes along with it, in spite of the medical community suggesting “the total opposite”.

“I believe that this is a situation where we must achieve national convergence, even with the Opposition,” he said. Abela also added that he was “convinced” that with good sense, this should be achievable, noting that first discussions have been “encouraging” through this type of leadership he is trying to uphold.

Abela noted that without such agreement, it would be “useless” to uptake a project in any avenue of the health sector, including mental health.

The PM said that the country has a robust vision on mental health matters, as confirmed from the continuous feedback the government receives from psychiatrists and managers at the hospital on their observations. Through such communication, the government is discussing what role Mount Carmel Hospital should and should not have, he said. This also applies to the role of the facilities – that experts are advising needs to be constructed – must have alongside the hospital for acute care, for several reasons including breaking stigmas that mental health conditions are different to any other health conditions.

In this regard, he said that a “mature discussion” needs to occur to see what is to be done with Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital, and what the investment for the Gozo General Hospital is going to consist of. For these projects, he added that debate must commence soon, as well as the beginning of action to be taken.

The three hospitals were handed over to the private sector in 2015 by the Muscat government, only to be returned to the public last year following a court judgment rescinding the deal.

Abela said that “Mater Dei Hospital should remain definitively in the hands of the government.” He also acknowledged that the model for old peoples’ homes across the Maltese islands, i.e., homes run by private entities with government synergy, has “worked.”

Abela was also asked about three incidents which involved bus drivers in the past weeks, with the PM saying that hefty penalties against aggression are already in place.

He added that the courts have always tended to give out substantial penalties for aggression, especially when certain injuries have been afflicted. 

Bus drivers do not have an easy job, Abela said, and explained that they work long hours every day and called for respect towards them. He further elaborated that the bus driver is making a living out of that work and reiterated that one must be respectful towards each other. 

Regarding room for revisions of the penalties, Abela said it is a continuous process involving the Minister for Justice and other entities to see if the penalties need to be recalibrated. However, he said the message must be one that shows respect to every worker in the country.

“This country has a gem: human resources; and we must let everyone do their work in a peaceful and tranquil way”, Abela said.