Malta is hoping that its links with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) will lead to a Maltese research institute which could reverse the brain drain Malta has had.
Social Policy Minister John Dalli, on Sunday told the 10th Overseas Meeting of the RCSI, being held in St Julian’s, that Malta’s thrust to increase its competitiveness and achieve the Lisbon Agenda targets has to rest on increasing the research potential.
“I am pleased that the memorandum of understanding signed between the government and the RCSI also covers collaboration in clinical research,” he said. “It is our wish that this gives the opportunity and the possibility for Maltese scientists to partner with the RCSI Research Institute on specific research projects, and that this will eventually develop our own successful Research Institute. I am sure that this collaboration will be better able to attract substantial NIH and EU grants, which will enable us to carry out truly meaningful research.
“This will also make it possible for us to retain our professionals and even to reverse the brain drain that we had over the years, as we will be providing them with rewarding activities in our country.”
Mr Dalli thanked the RCSI for choosing Malta as the venue for its Tenth Overseas Meeting, and said the government had shown its commitment to the health services by embarking on a major project to build a state of the art hospital which opened its doors in November 2007.
“Mater Dei is one of the most modern hospitals in the Mediterranean. We must now ensure that the state of the art structure and hardware is complemented by a state of the art service, in both quality and delivery. We are committed to provide the best service possible to our citizens and to develop as a centre of quality medical services in the region. To achieve this we are calling on the commitment of all players and we will be tapping the knowledge and technology that exists worldwide to enhance our technology base and operations.”
The plan of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to expand its services by setting up a medical school offering a graduate entry programme in Malta, fell within Malta’s plans, Mr Dalli said.
“On one hand, the RCSI must have made their own assessment of the competence of Maltese colleges in the field and must believe in the wealth of resources that it can tap into to run a successful programme. On the other hand, we believe that the presence of such a distinguished institute within our education system will strengthen the overall high standards already existing in this country.”
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Maltese government and the RCSI on 20 December, 2007 to kick start this relationship and open the possibility of detailed negotiations. “It is in our interest that these negotiations will be concluded positively in the shortest time possible.
“With such a positive outcome behind us, we can then explore other areas of collaboration with RCSI, like their ability to run clinical postgraduate training programmes across the entire spectrum of the various specialities, in conjunction with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. I look forward to fruitful programmes with the free and full involvement of our own specialist bodies for the benefit of all.
“We pride ourselves on our Institute of Health Care. We can also seek potential areas of collaboration with RCSI in their specialist services given through their school of Surgery, Dental School, School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing. Excellence means making quantum leaps in technological issues, and we know that such quantum leaps can only be possible through global partnerships.”