HIV prevention medication Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) will be offered free by the end of January, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday.

NGOs and people living with HIV have long called for the introduction of free PrEP and PEP medication. Earlier this month, the PN said that it is deeply concerned by reports that HIV prevention drug PrEP was unavailable in Malta, not even against payment.

Speaking during an interview on party media on Sunday, Abela said that making these medications free was a pledge in the PL's 2022 electoral manifesto. He said that they will make a big difference.

Abela said that it was a decision of principle, and said that these medications will start to be offered for free from 29 January.

Abela said that the PN also said it would do it if elected to govern, "and they promised many things, but the question the people need to ask is, are they capable of ensuring that the economy continues to grow in a way that these initiatives can be implemented?"

Regarding healthcare infrastructure in the country, Abela said that in the coming weeks a tender will be launched for the construction of an intermediate care facility in St Vincent de Paul residence. "A facility of 300 beds specifically for the elderly population."

He said that aside from this, there is the evaluation process and eventual granting of the expansion of the emergency department the construction of a new psychiatric ward at Mater Dei Hospital. He said that the emergency department investment will be state of the art.

He said that in 2026, he wants to see works start on the intermediate care unit as well as on the Mater Dei emergency department expansion and psychiatric ward.

Also during the interview, The Prime Minister said that among the main targets for government for 2026 will be the launch of the Malta Vision 2050. He said that in the coming weeks the vision will be formally launched, after months of work, mentioning the public consultation process that had taken place for it.

He said that if one doesn't plan for tomorrow, the country would suffer.

Abela spoke about environmental projects that the government needs to work on, mentioning Manoel Island, which he described as a priority and said that currently the Lands Authority are in an "intensive phase" to close the process through which the island would be brought back to the people.

He assured that the MIDI bondholders will be taken care of, saying that a number had expressed concern over whether they would be negatively impacted.

Regarding the White Rocks project, in the coming days the public call for the development of the site will formally be withdrawn. He said ideas have already come out from the public consultation as to this future park.

He said that while restoration of buildings on the site will take long, there are areas both on Manoel Island and at White Rocks where, after cleaning, can begin to be enjoyed by families. He foresees the first zones being able to be enjoyed in the coming months.

Abela also spoke about the Grand Harbour Regeneration Project, which he said is a dream for him, and said that the Marsa quay has enormous potential. 

He said that in 2009, a masterplan was drawn up but it remained on paper.  Abela said, regarding the Grand Harbour Regeneration, that the government appointed an international architectural firm that specialises and has vast experience in these sort of projects.

"They did a phenomenal job," he said, but also added that there are certain challenges, such as those who have concessions within the port, adding that there is a relocation process ongoing.

He said that a master plan will be launched in the coming weeks.

Regarding Fort Salvatore, he said that there was a call for it to be brought back into public hands. He said that historically, the English had imprisoned people like Herbert Ganado, Nerik Mizzi and Arturo Mercieca. He said that the Fort ended up being used as a concrete batching plant, noting that there might have been the need for it at the time, but said that today the priority is for such places to be given back to the people. He said discussions in this regard have already begun.

Turning to foreign affairs, Abela said that the situation internationally is escalated. He spoke of a meeting of ambassadors from the 27 EU member stats that took part on Sunday, discussing the announcements made by the USA regarding Greenland, and also its potential tariffs against a seven EU countries. He said that the geopolitical situation changes every day.

Abela mentioned the excellent relations Malta has with the US, and said that "certain challenges" in the relationship had been solved since the appointment of Ian Borg as foreign minister, and also mentioned the excellent relations with the EU states. He stressed the importance of being calibrated and cautious, as Malta was in the way it dealt with he issues in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

He stated that in the current geo-political circumstances, every decision for the country is important, as it can affect the economic momentum the country currently has.

He maintained that the Labour Government has the experience, skill, and competence, gained from facing the challenges of the pandemic and the wars over the past six years, leaving the choice in the hands of the people, who must decide who deserves the trust to lead the country.