Medical association questions government decisions on healthcare investments

The Medical Association of Malta has raised questions about the government's plans to privatise the management of public health facilities, while also expressing doubts on the economic model and the sustainability of medical tourism.

"The priorities established by the needs of patients should be maintained, and investment is urgent in primary health care, and the care of the elderly, so as to treat patients as much as necessary away from the hospitals and to contain costs," it said in a press statement.

Currently there are 100 patients at Mater waiting for transfer to long-term care, and another 30 waiting transfer to rehabilitation. This amounts to more than 50% of acute Medical beds at Mater Dei.

While the construction of a new acute medicine block at Mater Dei is welcome, this will not alleviate the bed shortage unless the problems in the geriatric sector are addressed. 

The MAM has expressed doubts on the viability of private finance initiatives (PFI), noting that many institutions run on such a model in the UK required bailouts and many smaller facilities were shut down.

It also calls into question the sustainability of medical tourism in Malta, saying that only centres offering the most cutting-edge technology and techniques are successful. "It has failed in the past and had very limited success abroad, except in cetres using the latest techniques in minally invasive surgery or robotics usually performed by leading world experts in that particular field."

The association considered the investment in Bart's Medical school viable but raised concerns about funding. "It is unclear who will be paying for the construction of the facilities, and the employment of 40 doctors per year from this second medical school will entail a minimum cost of at least €1.5 million per year," the MAM said in a statement