A new medical service offered by St James Hospital in Sliema could lead to tourists with kidney problems choosing Malta as their holiday destination.

This would be a step towards offering the "quality tourism" that, according to Malta Tourism Authority chairman Romwald Lungaro Mifsud, Malta needs to pursue in a big way.

The availability of quality dialysis treatment is a major consideration for the 1.1 million renal patients worldwide who want to travel to other countries. In fact, unless tourists can get dialysis treatment while on holiday, they cannot travel, St James Hospital director Jean Claude Muscat explained.

This is because when a patient suffers from kidney failure his body cannot get rid of the toxins so he needs dialysis to clean his blood. Most patients need the treatment three times a week for the rest of their lives.

Because the Renal Unit at St Luke's Hospital is already packed with local patients, potential holiday makers who ask whether they can make use of the dialysis service while on vacation are being told no.

Following a Lm60,000 investment in the new equipment, St James Hospital has already treated a German tourist and is now gearing up to start offering the treatment to other holiday makers. Mr Muscat said the hospital has already received 35 enquiries about the service.

Hospital chairman Josie Muscat said people with renal problems went on holiday to countries which offered a dialysis service. Now, Malta was opening its doors to them too.

Dr Muscat added that the hospital had introduced plenty of new services for its clients. With the addition of the dialysis unit - a joint project between the hospital and Fresenius Medical Care, a world leader in dialysis equipment and services - it had almost completed its repertoire of services. It could now provide the majority of services, including heart operations.

John Allen, from Holiday Dialysis International, which deals with the medical and logistical side of a renal patient's holiday plans, said they would now be able to tell patients that they can get safe dialysis in Malta.

The organisation also ensures that the patients have transport to and from the clinic. He said the majority of patients do not need more than a standard hotel room, but sometimes they would need a room with facilities for the handicapped especially since the majority of renal patients are over 65 and some of them could also be suffering from other conditions.

Mr Allen said that most of the time the patients approached the organisation with a clear idea of where they wanted to go on holiday.

The unit can take up to six patients at one time. It also includes an isolation room for patients suffering from infectious diseases. Holiday makers can avail of the services at any time of the day and night, and the unit can also be used by local patients who are receiving treatment at St James Hospital.