I refer to the letter entitled More Discrimination Against Maltese (May 20). Kindly allow me to clarify the situation with regard to the issuing of European health insurance cards (EHIC) for foreigners residing in Malta.

I can confirm that the EHIC, issued for foreigners qualifying for a certificate of entitlement from our office on the basis of their €121 or €109, is issued for a one-year period rather than the usual three years.

This policy is necessary in order to exercise closer control on healthcare entitlements.

EU pensioners who choose Malta for their retirement are in this manner also entitled to EHICs paid for by the Maltese healthcare system.

In recent years we had noticed that a number of pensioners who were either leaving Malta for good or returning to live in their country of origin for several months were not returning their card to the Entitlement Unit and continue to use the EHIC issued by Malta to cover their healthcare requirements in other EU member states.

This occurs despite the fact that when they apply for their card they declare that they will be permanently residing in Malta. We also distribute an instruction card with each EHIC issued advising the recipient to notify the unit of any change in residence circumstances.

Once an EHIC card is issued by a competent authority, in this case Malta, that same authority has to bear the costs incurred even though that person may not be entitled for the card anymore.

Hence, for persons who are entitled to an EHIC, by virtue of a certificate of entitlement issued through EU co-ordination mechanisms, it is deemed necessary to renew the EHIC on a regular basis thereby continuing to ascertain that the person is truly a permanent resident in Malta.