June 2007 will be remembered for a number of achievements in the health sector and this bears testimony to the Nationalist government’s determination for the country to offer the best health care services and the best jobs to all those working in the health sector, said Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday.
Speaking at a political dialogue in Mellieha, Dr Gonzi mentioned the opening of Mater Dei Hospital at the end of June, the laying of the foundation stone of the Mellieha residence for the elderly on Saturday, and the launch of the new concept for those who have the right to free medicinal products.
Dr Gonzi explained that the new scheme allows people to obtain free medicines from the pharmacy of their choice, rather than having to collect them from pharmacies at health centres, or from St Luke’s Hospital.
Mater Dei Hospital will provide for the best possible health care services, since it is equipped with extremely modern machinery to provide better treatment to patients.
Referring to the new Mellieha residence for the elderly that is being built, Dr Gonzi said this is not only intended to provide a service to elderly people, but also to those living in the northern area of the island.
The new residence will include a night centre for the elderly and a number of other services for the elderly and for people with disabilities. The project will be a model of a public-private partnership in the health sector, said Dr Gonzi.
Speaking about the new scheme for those having the right to free medicines, Dr Gonzi said that a pilot project will soon be introduced in a number of localities.
Dr Gonzi said the Nationalist government’s credible and sustainable policies were the driving force of these achievements.
Apart from the government’s heavy investment in every sector, it had also managed to reduce the deficit, said the prime minister, adding that the country was moving in the right direction and the various successes registered were proving to be beneficial to families, workers, elderly people, young people and children.
Dr Gonzi said the government’s three pillars were the environment, education and employment. Ten years ago, public expenditure was just Lm4 million, but this amount has now increased to Lm50 million per annum.
The prime minister said the state of the environment has been improving – the number of recreational areas for the family are on the increase, more residential roads are being done up and the country’s look is improving.
The country has been transforming its membership with the EU into a success story in every sector – education, the environment, roads, investment, training and employment, said Dr Gonzi.
He noted that the country has EUR855 million in EU funds at its disposal for the next five years. These will help to reach the targets that have been set until 2015.
The government is implementing policies that will make the country a centre of excellence in information and communication technology, education, financial services, the health sector, tourism and value added manufacturing, said Dr Gonzi, adding that nobody should dishearten citizens, but rather they should be encouraged, so that the country will continue to be as successful as it has been during the past few years.