The Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF) has said that as of this year, a system has been introduced whereby the means test has been "completely removed" and that requests made to the MCCF for cancer treatment "are being accepted on full funding basis."

The MCCF issued a statement on Friday to clarify a number of points raised in the media regarding the relaying of funds to the MCCF for oncological treatment.

It said that under the newly implemented system, bureaucracy and delays that may have previously existed have now been reduced.

On Thursday, the Nationalist Party issued a press release in which it accused the government of delaying the inclusion of approved cancer medicines on the national formulary.

The PN had also said that government was "dragging its feet," and failing to provide cancer patients with the treatment they need. This statement was signed by the PN's Shadow Minister for Health, Stephen Spiteri.

The PN had called upon the government to immediately establish a fast-track process for cancer medicines approved by the European Medicines Agency to be added to the national formulary, ensure cancer patients were no longer subjected to means-testing to receive essential treatment, and make the financing of cancer medicines a national priority in the health budget.

On Friday, the MCCF defended the current system under which it operates.

The MCCF mentioned that government's annual donation is utilised solely for cancer treatment and is used in a manner where patients may have access, through the Malta Community Chest Fund, "to treatment not available as part of the formulary."

"Given that if this treatment were to be included in the formulary, it would be made available to all patients without the application of a means test, the decision was taken that The Malta Community Chest Fund shall provide this treatment without conducting a means test, thereby available unconditionally to all who need it," the MCCF said.

The MCCF concluded its statement by noting that it also provides other forms of assistance besides its cancer-related medical assistance.

This is listed through "funds collected from donors, from the activities it organises, and from the generosity of the people throughout the year," which culminates during the L-Istrina fundraiser. It mentioned that for this kind of assistance, the means test continues to be carried out.