Our country must also be sustainable when it comes to healthcare, the Nationalist Party said Thursday.

During a number of discussions and meetings held by the Opposition in recent weeks with stakeholders in this important sector, emphasis was placed on the need for a more focused approach towards greater sustainability in healthcare, based on an agreed plan that delivers improvements in quality of life in this area as well, the PN said in a statement.

It is encouraging to see a strong budget for the national health service and healthcare. However, there must be greater accountability in how taxpayers' money is spent.

"We need to curb waste and excessive spending on medicines that end up being discarded for various reasons. Solutions are also needed for surplus medicines collected through the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) scheme that ultimately go unused," the PN said.

This wasted money could be put to better use and invested in measures that genuinely improve healthcare in our country.

One clear example is innovative cancer medication that is not yet available through the POYC scheme and must therefore be purchased by patients who need it. Another is the Continuous Glucose Monitoring service, which should be extended to everyone with diabetes rather than being provided only to a select group, the PN said.

Unplanned spending on the outsourcing of services, including emergency services, is another example. This expenditure has become necessary because the Government failed to plan for adequate infrastructure capable of meeting ever-increasing demand.

This service is costing the Maltese public millions of euros in taxpayers' money. These funds could be used more effectively to build new hospitals that provide the space urgently needed to improve the quality of healthcare and the services offered in our country, the PN said.

Malta and Gozo need serious planning and a long-term vision, not reactive measures.

This is the way forward towards a truly sustainable healthcare system that benefits everyone.

The Opposition stressed the need for a carefully considered plan to be discussed and agreed upon by all stakeholders in the sector, with the aim of improving quality of life through better healthcare.