€19 million in EU funds allocated for new projects

Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Ian Borg, today announced a total of €19 million in EU funds for new projects.

€15.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund will be used for the implementation of three new projects in the health sector.  The purpose of the first project, for which the sum of €3.6 million is being allocated, is to improve the treatment given at Gozo's General Hospital through the installation of new equipment in six different sections including the operating theatre, endoscopy unit, CCU and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Through the second project, which will absorb €3.4 million, the Department of Health will purchase modern screening equipment featuring the latest technology to improve the level of care given to Maltese patients. This equipment includes X-Ray digital units, Intra-Venous Flourescene Angiography Camera, Ultrasound machine and  Direct Digital Mammography Unit.

The third project at €8.4 million will be used to set up a new medical assessment unit at Mater Dei Hospital.  For this purpose, two new wards will be built that will accommodate 68 new beds. Borg said that this project will enable the introduction of a new and more efficient service so that patients admitted at Mater Dei Hospital in an acute condition, will be received and given better and more urgent attention.

With respect to the allocation of €3.8 million from the European Social Fund, Borg said that through these funds more than 1,400 workers will receive training to improve their skills and be in a better position to face new challenges in their field of work.

The organisations and institutions that will benefit from these funds are the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, the National Commission for Equal Opportunities, Transport Malta, the Maltese Council for Sports and the Department of Health.