Opposition demands explanation over funds for hospital oncology, dermatology units

Opposition health spokesman Michael Farrugia said today that the Opposition was seeking information from the government over what had happened to funds earmarked for the Oncology and Dermatology Units at Mater Dei Hospital.

He told a press conference that in 2004 the Prime Minister had reached an agreement with Skanska for the building and commissioning of the new hospital for a fee of Lm139 million (€323m).

Later, an additional Lm6 million were allocated for the opening of the Institute of Health Science, the Renal Unit, the Dental Unit, the Oncology Unit and the Dermatology Unit.

While the first three units were up and running the remaining two were still at Boffa Hospital, even though it was meant to have been closed in 2007.

The government had then announced plans to set up a cancer hospital within Mater Dei, Dr Farrugia observed. In 2008 the health minister had projected a cost of €24 million, while more recently Health Minister Joseph Cassar spoke of a cost of €48 million.

Such discrepancies, Dr Farrugia said, needed to be explained.