The Medical Association of Malta has again urged the government to stop wasting money which was supposed to be used for patient care.

More than €10 million were used between 2019 and 2023 on projects which did not materialise, MAM said in a statement Tuesday.

MAM published the expense incurred by government in planning the acute psychiatric facility and the outpatient block previously planned by former Health Minister Chris Fearne.

These plans which took 3 years to be completed, were ready and extensively discussed with all stake holders and have the support of all stake holders.

With regard to the plans for an acute psychiatric hospital, the government spent €3,705,686 million between 2021 and 2023, while it spent another €6,915,908 for a new outpatients block for a total of €10,621,908, MAM said, quoting figures from government budgets.

Unfortunately, Minister Jo-Etienne Abela has scrapped all these plans and without proper consultation, wants a completely different plan cramming five acute psychiatry wards on top of the Emergency department while the outpatients block is being scrapped completely, MAM said.

The decision to modify plans will require a new expenditure of another ten million euro on plans, and a delay of at least two years to start actual construction and another 2 to 3 years to completion, the association added.

Furthermore, there is a deadline in February for the completion of the Paola Health centre where there may be a recovery of over €50 million euros by the European union if the project not completed by that date.

MAM appealed to Minister Abela to prioritise patients, use the plans which are ready and start with the desperately needed construction.

While MAM said still trusts that Minister Abela has good intentions, the current impression is that millions are voted for health, nothing gets done.