PM proposes private-public partnerships to cut hospital waiting lists

The government is proposing private-public partnerships to cut waiting lists at Mater Dei Hospital and ease the workload by beefing up the health centres, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Speaking in Għargħur, Dr Gonzi said the government was addressing the waiting lists problem and was proposing to enter into agreements with the private sector to offer patients the service they require.

The health service will continue to remain free of charge, he said.

Dr Gonzi, who was being interviewed by Xarabank journalist Norman Vella, said the government would employ more doctors and nurses. Due to the lack of staff, some operating theatres at Mater Dei Hospital cannot be used.

The Prime Minister referred to a report drawn up in 1998 where the then Labour government had recommended that patients at Zammit Clapp Hospital, considered as social cases, would be charged for their stay at the hospital and for catering and transport services.

Dr Gonzi spoke about the latest tactic being used by employers: hiring people on condition they register as self-employed so that the employers would not have to give workers any benefits, such as sick leave and vacation leave.

The government was determined to tackle this problem after solving the problem of part-timers, who are being exploited by depriving them of any benefits. Referring to the tax cuts proposal, Dr Gonzi said this would generate economic growth, helping the country move towards the 2010 budget surplus target. Dr Gonzi vehemently denied claims that VAT would be raised to 25 per cent and that there are plans for Air Malta to be privatised. Dr Gonzi referred to Labour leader Alfred Sant's promise to create 6,000 jobs in five years and joked that Dr Sant's work was already done because of the 5,600 jobs to be generated by the SmartCity project and the 500 jobs at Lufthansa Technik, which are already in the bag.

Asked why he does not seem as confident of victory at the polls as his adversaries, Dr Gonzi replied: "We do not wait for results. We are working for results. We are making our case with the people and driving home the message that every vote counts if people want this success to continue".