Oncology centre at Mater Dei Hospital enters second phase

The new oncology centre has entered the second phase of works and was running on schedule, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said during a visit to the site yesterday.

This phase incorporates mainly the construction of the bunkers that will host three linear accelerators that deliver radiotherapy. The initial phase involved excavations on the site, which is adjacent to Mater Dei Hospital.

The third phase, for which adjudication of tenders is underway, will include the building of the actual structure.

The new centre, whose building alone costs about €48 million, will replace the current oncology department at Boffa Hospital, Floriana. It will raise the number of beds available in this medical speciality to no fewer than 97 from 27.

During his walkabout, Dr Gonzi said the management of the building site was impressive. “I often pass by and try to look in to see where works have got to but can’t see anything,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s tour included a visit to Boffa Hospital, where a new linear accelerator has been installed. Some 723 cubic metres of high-density concrete were used in construction of the bunker which holds it.

The €1.6 million accelerator will eventually move to Mater Dei Hospital because the present machine there is getting old and it would leave the patients without an outlet for this treatment should it need maintenance, Dr Gonzi said.

“The choice was a conscientious one, not to risk the lives of patients,” he said.

The walkabout included a visit to the newly opened palliative care ward in the hospital, where Dr Gonzi praised the staff for their “vocation in this difficult job”.