Sunday, 29th November 2009 - 13:20CET

Dalli aims to make health care accessible to all EU citizens

When Social Policy Minister John Dalli takes his seat in the European Commission, early next year, he will focus on ensuring that health care is accessible to all EU citizens.

“My priorities in the health sector at EU level will be similar to the ones I applied in Malta: accessibility to health care and the sustainability of the sector,” Mr Dalli said this morning during a Nationalist Party activity in Mgarr.

Barely four days after Mr Dalli’s nomination for Commissioner was announced by the government, European Commission president José Manuel Barroso allocated the portfolios to his 26-stong team.

Mr Dalli will be serving as Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner and is expected to take office in February following a long scrutiny process.

Till then he will retain his post as Social Policy Minister in Malta.

Yesterday Mr Dalli said he believed his portfolio had been tailored according to his curriculum vitae. His experience in the financial sector, which he gained as Finance Minister, allowed him to keep in mind the financial realities of any proposals made, he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino congratulated Mr Dalli on his appointment.

Mr Pullicino credited him as the “pilot” that ensured that Malta’s banks and financial system remained strong during the global financial crisis.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Pierre Micallef (on 29/11/09)

Whatever his qualities, following current affairs surely isn't one of them - if he thinks emulating Obama's failed attempts at introducing health care across the board is a good way to start, the gentleman is in for a reality check soon.

Peter Vella (on 29/11/09)

It is indeed a pity that Malta will be losing the talents of its most competent minister to Brussels. Given more time he might have sorted out the shambles that is our health system. But for Gonzi it seems that his personal issues are much more important than anything else. As a long-standing PN activist I look forward to the day when Dalli returns to oust Gonzi from his undeserved post as leader of the PN.

r cutajar (on 29/11/09)

Hon J Dalli apart from the usuall folnmal wishes such a post brings to bothe our country and and yourself please try to talk things such as why does so many feel let down by the E U accession inspight of so many promises for the better

Gordon Farrugia (on 29/11/09)

jien li ma nistax nifhem hi kif bniedem li hu specjalizzat fl-accounts ikun ministru tas-'social policy'? Safejn naf jien accountant dejjem jara kif l-infieq u d-dhul jibbilancjaw li normalment hi f'kunflitt ma progetti socjali ghax dawn ftit fihom dhul...

Eric Gahn (on 29/11/09)

What? Who?

Anthony Roberts (on 29/11/09)

What a shame he didn't aim to make his concerns accessible to the Maltese citizens who use the Paolo Health Clinic to pick up their medicine. Amazing isn't it that such a person now a commissioner for the EU. Oh well God help the EU.