The ministry said that it became clear from Dr Michael Farrugia’s statement about the reforms in the health sector that he could not resist the temptation to use this delicate sector as a political tool. This had happened in spite of appeals to keep health outside partisan politics.

In its counter-statement, the ministry asked from where did Dr Farrugia get the idea that Malta had pledged to the EU that it will make reforms in the health sector to reduce expenditure. This is a blatant lie, the ministry said.

It recalled that Dr Farrugia had said that as from March 2001 the public would have started to pay for services rendered by public hospitals. The date mentioned passed more than three years ago and yet the people were still getting the services for free.

The MLP spokesman for health had also insinuated that diabetic patients would have to start paying for their medication. The government had said many times that these patients will continue to receive their medication free of charge. The ministry reminded the public that it was Dr Farrugia, when he was health minister, who had introduced payment for every prescription.

Dr Farrugia had appealed to the government not to keep silent about its plans to reform the health sector. The ministry replied that the government was taking the matter seriously and was committed to discuss it with the social partners, rather than impose any changes.

The ministry added that a white paper on the said reform was being finalised and will be published soon. The reforms are aimed to improve the service while at the same time making it more sustainable.