The Labour Party’s draft plan for the health sector gives a comprehensive analysis of the present situation and makes good proposals on what needs to be done, the Association of Dentists was quoted as saying during a meeting with MLP officials.

The Labour Party said that association president Martha Vella told MLP officials that the proposals addressed and offered solutions to the problems in this sector.

Dr Vella explained that the association participates in local and European events and closely follows issues related to dentistry in order to be in a better position to make its submissions and proposals in Malta and abroad, the Labour Party said.

She said the association would like to see a more detailed analysis of cooperation with the private sector and on incentives for people who take out private health insurance.

Labour deputy leader Charles Mangion said that while the MLP believed that the health service in Malta should remain free of charge, it was still conscious of the huge cost of pursuing such a policy.

However, he said, the MLP did not believe that the amount of money allocated to this sector should be reduced.

He said better management would lead to better results with the same amount of funds.

Dr Mangion said he was disappointed with the lack of adequate plans on the migration from St Luke’s Hospital to the new Mater Dei Hospital at Tal-Qroqq.

Also at the meeting were MLP secretary-general Jason Micallef and Health spokes-man Dr Michael Farrugia.