Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela announced Wednesday that the government will be doubling its expenditure for outsourcing of operations and other procedures from €7 million to a "record" €14 million next year.

Abela was speaking at a press conference in front of Mater Dei Hospital, where he explained that 'outsourcing' means when the government health service works hand in hand with the private service.

"We recognise that there are many patients which have many needs, such as CT scans, MRIs, and then there are operations," Abela said.

He said that government is aware that it needs to offer more services, and firstly, it maximised services in government assets such as Mater Dei, Gozo General Hospital, St Vincent de Paule, and now even the new Paola Hub.

"We have already been using our assets during Sundays, feasts, as well as in the evening after normal working hours," Abela said, bringing up the example of Radiology services which have gone on after hours, and operation theatres are also being used at night.

Abela said that next year, the Budget for these services will be greater, to add to the services government has already added - such as the new MRI machine in Gozo, and others.

He said that government wishes to increase output of operations such as hernia operations, bone operations, knee and joint replacements, and more procedures.

"The operation hall lone is not enough. A whole team is also needed, such as anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses," Abela said, adding that the procedures are complicated, and the instruments need to be delivered where they need to be.

Abela said that the Budget is strong for next year, which supports these initiatives positively. He said that this investment clearly shows that government is ready to invest on the patient, as well as health workers.