'160 lives saved thanks to breast screening programme' - Gonzi

Prime Minister Gonzi this evening continued to discuss the PN’s chosen theme of the week, that of healthcare.

Prime Minister Gonzi.
Prime Minister Gonzi.

Speaking at an event in Attard, Prime Minister Gonzi continued to praise Malta's healthcare system.

"We have kept out word. Five years ago we said that a PN government would continue to provide the best free healthcare service possible. There are no political hues when it comes to illness, we will continue provide the best service for all," Gonzi said.

Lawrence Gonzi lauded the success of the national breast screening programme, saying that thus far 160 women have been saved thanks to the programme.

Gonzi said that eczema, a skin condition, will be included on the list of chronic illnesses in the coming legislature.

Reducing the incidence of diabetes will be a priority target for a PN government.

Speaking about the proliferations of pharmaceutical companies in Malta, Gonzi said that the interconnector project will soon bring significant savings.

"The night tariff is going to help keep factories competitive without spending €600 million and putting two bombs in the form of gas tanks next to the power station," he said.

Gonzi drew parallel to the potential cost of the PL's energy project, and the €540 million in social assistance expenditure of the current government.

"Family doctors are well respected in Malta, and are treated in a very amiable manner when visiting our homes. We should be proud of such treasures and proud of our country."

 "Our healthcare system is the envy of many a country. The Labour Party only sees the negative in everything. We have continued to provide free healthcare whilst reducing the expenditure deficit in Malta," Gonzi said.

Gonzi also pledged to continue to improve the pharmacy of your choice scheme.

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If 160 lives were saved when the breast-screening programme (pushed so hard by Labour's spokespersons for Health)was finally instituted by the PN, then how many lives were lost simply for the PN to make a political point and not appear to take up the Opposition's suggestions? We are not fools and we do have a memory.
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Does gonzi expect a personal thank you, saving lives is everybody's business and if his government had not procrastinated about introducing breast screening more lives would have been saved. My wife had breast cancer in 2000 but her still being alive is no thanks to him but the medical staff that grace our hospitals both at St Luke's and later at Mater Dei together with those at Boffa Hospital. Thanks don't go to you Mr gonzi but to the real heros who work incessantly against this modern day scurge.
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TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. HUNDREDS MORE LIVES WOULD HAVE BEEN SAVED HAD GONZIPN NOT DRAGGED ITS FEET AND REFUSED TO FUND THIS SERVICE FOR YEARS AND YEARS. THE DEATH OF SO MANY PEOPLE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED ARE A TOMBSTONE AROUND THE NECK OF GONZIPN.
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Luke Camilleri
AND MORE WOUD HAVE BEEN SAVED if Gonzi & Co. continued with Helena Dalli's project for breast screening in 1997!
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I'm going by memory, but if I'm not mistaken I read the Timesonline post budget breakdown and they mentioned cuts in the breast screening budget and the national cancer plan whilst increasing pbs funding.
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Nixtieq infakkrek Wenz kemm kaxkartu saqajkom -u ghal snin twal - biex dahhaltu dan il-programm. Helena Dalli xebghet tissielet ghad-dritt tan-nisa biex ikollna dan il-programm. U issa qed tiftahar bih? Prova ohra, li kieku kien hemm bzonn, li anqas biss taf x'inhi l-misthija!
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At what age are we going to be called for the breast screening programme? i'm already 53 years old.....have never been called.....perhaps when it is too late ?????