The PNationalist Party said Friday it is deeply concerned about the lack of investment being made to address dementia.

Today, in our country, more than 7,500 people suffer from dementia. By 2050, this figure is expected to rise to around 17,000, the PN said

Although a national strategy exists, it is clear that greater investment is required - both in preventive measures and in care services - to ensure that patients do not deteriorate rapidly.

There must be efficient screening so that the condition can be detected as early as possible; care facilities must be equipped with the best possible equipment; and we must have well-trained workers in this field to ensure that our elderly receive the highest level of support, the PN said.

Malta's population is growing, and with it, the number of elderly people living with dementia is also increasing. We cannot afford, as a country, to find ourselves without sufficient facilities to care for every patient with the dignity they deserve, the PN said.

We have recently witnessed a number of incidents which point to serious failures within the system and clearly highlight the need to ensure that, in addition to receiving the best possible care, these individuals are also protected and have the right to feel safe, wherever they are.

The PN appealed to the Government to take this condition more seriously in order to alleviate the burden carried not only by patients but also by their relatives, while ensuring that any shortcomings in the provision of dementia care - both within the community and in existing facilities - are properly addressed.