Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi last night applauded former Health Minister Louis Deguara and other previous health ministers as he boasted about Malta’s healthcare, which he described as the envy of Europe.

Criticising Labour for constantly slamming the health sector at the expense of workers who were doing their best, Dr Gonzi said Malta managed to provide quality healthcare free of charge and comprehensively while also cutting the deficit.

“In America, Barack Obama is still struggling to introduce free healthcare,” he told supporters in Attard.

He said he wanted to take the opportunity to thank Dr Deguara for his contribution in transferring the hospital from St Luke’s to Mater Dei. He also praised “other previous ministers” but thanked Dr Deguara for working hand in hand with him at the time.

Dr Gonzi said the new cancer hospital would have 96 beds, replacing Boffa Hospital’s 27.

The Government’s breast screening initiative had saved 160 patients by diagnosing cancer at an early stage. The breast screening centre was now being called a national screening centre because its services would be extended to colon and cervix screening.

Meanwhile, eczema would start to qualify as a chronic illness so treatment could also be given free.

He said Cyprus had sent a delegation to Malta to follow its example on breast screening but later realised it did not have the finances to fund the initiative.

Dr Gonzi warned that in certain countries, pharmacies could not even afford to supply medicines because they were owed so much money from their bankrupt governments and banks were unwilling to lend them more money.

He urged people not to risk everything Malta had achieved by handing power to people who took decisions depending on who applauded them most rather than what was in the country’s best interest.