Cancer centre will cost €40m
The new €40 million cancer centre at Mater Dei Hospital was expected to be up and running in two years' time, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.
Details of the "ambitious project" - that was originally meant to cost almost half the amount - would soon be revealed, Dr Gonzi said during a radio interview on Radio 101 yesterday.
He added that the planning permit had already been filed and the project was to be completed by 2012.
In the 2009 budget, the government had announced that it would be building a new Specialised Oncology Centre, worth about €24 million, at Mater Dei.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Joseph Cassar explained that care for terminally-ill patients would be one of the services offered at the centre, which is to be built on a clear piece of land across the road from the outpatients car park.
This would be the first time that cancer patients will be offered proper palliative care within the public service.
The government had originally planned to transfer cancer services from Boffa Hospital to Zammit Clap Hospital but eventually decided to build the new centre at Mater Dei.
The government had said the change came about after looking into the pros and cons of all decisions within the context of sustainability while keeping in mind that everything needed to be patient-centred.
Dr Gonzi said during the interview the government was committed towards improving health services and this included cutting waiting lists. He said that in the first four months of the year 12,700 operations had been carried out at Mater Dei compared to 11,500 in the same period last year.
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Anthony Mizzi
Jul 29th 2009, 07:37
What does remain on budget in a Nationalist Party project..... not to mention deadlines.
Even the completion road like the St Paul’s Bypass took over two years after the original completion date of its rebuilding project.
....not to mention the fact that there is the beautiful and historic Boffa Hospital, which Gonzipn is so eager to hand out which could just be re-vamped. It has always served its purpose well.
After all this majestic building has served as a hospital , being always its primary function. its primary function. Why stop now?
Uncover hidden agendas.
Joanne Micallef
Jul 27th 2009, 19:30
I am in favour of this project I just hope that it will remain on budget though
A. Mizzi
Jul 27th 2009, 18:22
Title of article would more aptly be : Cancer centre will cost MORE THAN €40m. It is well known that any project undergone by Nationalist administrations tend to have overruns.....and what overruns. There are also usually, not so advertised and non-published interests, besides a hidden agenda on every project undertaken and in my humble opinion with the state of the economy as it is why build another hospital when there is another already ? Why just not upgrade Boffa Hospital and let cancer patients enjoys the beautiful views and serenity , and yes excellent service always provided by Boffa Hospital? I have had relatatives spending their last days on the terraces of Boffa Hospital and yes they deserved to spend their last days there with the beautiful views and closeness to creation overlooking our unique Grand harbour. Who has his speculative eyes on Boffa Hospital , a National landmark in a prime locality, easily accessible from all parts of the island? No prices for guessing.
Joseph Stafrace
Jul 27th 2009, 18:12
@ Victor Vella don't get too hot under the collar; what I said was public knowledge. I never said that I was against the idea of turning Boffa Hospital into a hotel; far from it. What irks me is that some Construction companies alway seem to get it their own way!
Galea. L
Jul 27th 2009, 18:10
Joseph Stafrace You are perfectly correct. Any bets that he will get it?
cecil herbert jones
Jul 27th 2009, 17:17
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY GREAT CASH FOR CANCER! As we are seeing from this 'palliative incentive' dying is very expensive these days. Why do I suspect that our huge huge national deficit is just another form of palliative treatment? I hope I will regret my cynical commentary but I am so used to watching the Maltese catch the bull by the tail instead of by the horn that I have to speak out in this manner sometimes. Very recently I read a report on Times.com 27th June that a Maltese doctor Johann de Bono discovered the 'Holy Grail' of cancer treatment and was heading a research team from the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden Hospital in the UK. Unfortunately I heard no mention of this in the PM's radio interview, and naturally I concluded that the new Cancer centre will not host research in this field. I think it is high time that we, as a nation not as individuals, follow our individuals who show great courage in their own convictions, especially when they are seen to achieve positive threads abroad. Why not have a cancer research centre as well right here in Malta?
philip pace
Jul 27th 2009, 16:16
Ah! At last! Our PM (Prime Minister) is making some sense finally as this is something of a National Interest which the majority of people want not the unpopular and unwanted Piano plan. However I am very doubtful due to negative record by the Government where final completion dates and budgets are concerned the PM has to work three times harder on this one so that he would gather back his long lost credibilty.
victor vella
Jul 27th 2009, 14:31
@ Freddie Vella & Joseph Stafrace.
Mela a few months ago we were complaining of the mess Bopffa hospital is in, and believe me it is a right mess, and now that plans are in hand to build a specialised unit we start throwing mud at everybody hoping some would stick, There was a politician in recent times who worked that way , but he was never to be trusted and the people knew that.Halluna kwieti if after the move the existing building is turned into a hotel so be it , better then left idle and in disepair.
James Grech
Jul 27th 2009, 14:24
It is a good idea to build such a centre. About time that Boffa gets scrapped and a new, better equipped environment created. However I really do hope that this is not yet another dream that does not materialise or that the costs shoot sky high with little or no accountability.
C.Camilleri
Jul 27th 2009, 13:44
It is about time that our Prime Minister makes up his mind that cancer patients need a DECENT place where to be treated! Me and my family have passed through a very hard time in the past months, and Boffa Hospital is just a sad place left to deteriorate over the years!
Joseph Stafrace
Jul 27th 2009, 13:13
@Freddie Vella
A couple of years back Boffa hospital was under the watchful eyes of a well known Construction company. It was considering refurbishing it as a stopover Hotel for cruise liner passengers.
Dylan Olliver
Jul 27th 2009, 12:14
Any improvement to the health system is highly recommended. Well done. Just a question: What is going to happen to St Lukes?
Daniel Buttigieg
Jul 27th 2009, 12:11
"Cancer is a multi-billion dollar business. The drugs used in chemotherapy kill cancer cells – but they also kill healthy cells too." http://www.chemo-facts.com/
j.caruana
Jul 27th 2009, 11:28
what training is going to be provided for us (nurses) before we start working with these patients?
training takes time...you know and in 2 yes time this new section is expected to open!!
freddie vella
Jul 27th 2009, 10:46
Has someone put his eyes on Boffa hospital buildings?