The health ministry on Friday issued an urgent call to the private sector to outsource emergency care amid pressure on the service at Mater Dei.

Any interested parties have just eight days in which to submit their application.

The Ministry said that through this collaboration between the government and the private sector, this initiative will ensure that people will be able to receive service from private hospitals paid for by the government. It added that this initiative will complement the services offered by Mater Dei, meaning that more facilities and improved efficiency will be available to patients.

Jo Etienne Abela, the Minister for Health and Active Ageing, said that this decision was made for the benefit of patients in order to address the problem of overcrowding in Mater Dei’s emergency department. He added that this initiative will help to ensure that the best services are offered to patients while also reducing the waiting time and pressure experienced at Mater Dei.

He concluded that this is one of a series of initiatives being launched in favour of working towards a “more viable emergency department”.

Those interested in submitting their interest must do so by 19 July.

More information can be found by visiting the following website: https://healthservices.gov.mt/en/cpsu/Pages/Procurement/Published-Calls/Negotiated-Procedure-without-Prior-Publication/Negotiated_Procedure_2024.aspx