An agreement was signed between the Housing Authority and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning which will extend the services offered in the field of mental health by Dar il-Kantuniera in Gharb, Gozo.

Through this agreement, which was presided by Social and Affordable Accommodation Minister Roderick Glades and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, the Housing Authority will be leasing Dar il-Kantuniera to the Gozo Ministry.

The Ministry for Gozo and Planning is also entering into an agreement with the Malta Trust Foundation to continue running this home in collaboration with the Mental Health Association Gozo, the ministries added.

Galdes commented that agreements like this are a living testimony of how much the government is carrying out policies in practice which look at the holistic needs of the person, “real needs that we encounter in everyday life”. He continued that through this collaboration, more beneficiaries will be reached and their quality of life as well as that of their family members will continue to be raised.

Camilleri said that since opening its doors in 2021, Dar il-Kantuniera has had a number of people who have resorted to the services it provides. He continued that the government understands that there is a need for these services, and is therefore committed to continue strengthening and supporting such social services. He remarked that the government wants to ensure that these services are available to everyone, and thanked all those involved for making this possible and for the professional service being provided by this home.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the Chairperson of the Malta Trust Foundation, said that the foundation has one goal, which is to support those who need it the most. She thanked the ministers concerned and the respective entities that understood the need for this service and the importance that it continues to be given from the heart of the community to continue to strengthen the concept of being part of society.

The Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry for Social and Affordable Accommodation, Emanuel Psaila, and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, John Borg, were both present for the signing. Representatives of the Housing Authority were also present.