Works are underway on the Primary Healthcare Centre in Poala, which will be dedicated to former Health Minister Vincant Moran, and it should open by April 2022

On Thursday, Health Minister Chris Fearne, alongside Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, visited ongoing construction works, where the five storey Healthcare Centre is being built.

"When I was a child, I used to live a few corners away from here," Fearne said. "A few corners away my family doctor live, politician and former Health Minister Dr Ċensu (Vincant) Moran who was the epitome of primary health care excellence. Thus, it is only fitting to dedicate this healthcare centre to him and name it 'Vincent Moran Hub'."

Fearne said that this will be the flagship for primary healthcare in Malta with plans underway for a similar project to be constructed in the north of Malta.

He explained that the ongoing construction work is moving as planned despite facing certain obstacles in the process. While excavating, two archaeological finds were reported; a shelter from WWII and other findings dated back to the Roman period.

"Despite this set back we are moving according to plan and by next April, the ground level should be constructed," Fearne said.

The centre will include a mental healthcare facility, which is part of the ministry's plan to decentralised mental health care from Mount Carmel hospital. Similarly, a dental facility will be available to reduce the influx of patients at Mater Dei Hospital.

Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Stephan Zrinzo explained that this project is being part-financed by EU funds with a €33 million investment from last year's funding programme. "Strengthening the healthcare system is a priority and this is why we are making use of EU funds for this project."