Patients of SAMOC, the Outpatients Department and the Medical Imaging Department are set to benefit from free parking as of 1 November, Minister for Health Jo-Etienne Abela said on Saturday.

Abela announced that outpatient parking at Mater Dei will be free of charge for patients attending appointments and for care at SAMOC (Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre), the Outpatients Department as well as patients requiring radiology services in the Medical Imaging Department.

The ministry had explained that patients should present the appointment as well as their ID card and parking ticket at the hospital's main reception so that the ticket may be validated and the parking fee can be waived.

Abela explained that every month, around 55,000 patients make use of these services in Mater Dei and for that reason the government is implementing this initiative so that their parking will be free of charge.

"We believe that the government's hospital is for the people by the people and so it is only right that this measure in favour of the Maltese patient is brought into force as soon as possible." He said and added that this is the first phase of this initiative as the possibility of the measure being extended for visiting family members is also being explored.