A new GU Clinic was formally opened at Mater Dei Hospital this afternoon, replacing the one at Boffa Hospital.

Health Minister Joseph Cassar said this was the first clinic to be transferred from Boffa to Mater Dei. Eventually all services at Boffa Hospital will be transferred.

He said the opening of the new clinic forms part of the government's strategy to enhance sexual health by not only offering cures, but by placing a strong emphasis on education and prevention.

Dr Philip Carabott, who was responsible for setting up the clinic at Boffa Hospital 12 years ago, welcomed the move to the new, bigger and more modern facility. He said sexually transmitted diseases were on the increase. Last year there was a record number of syphilis cases at 46. This, he said, was a trend seen worldwide. There was also an increase in chlamydia and HPV.

In Malta, he said there was a high rate of unprotected sex and an abyssal rate of people not using condoms. Malta also had a problem with young people binge drinking, which was a contributory fact.

Dr Carabott noted that patients did not need a referral to go to the GU clinic. 80% usually just call to fix an appointment themselves.

Unfortunately, he said, Malta still had a situation where most of those who had sexually transmitted diseases did not feel a responsibility to speak up, and diseases spread.