The government is investing €1.3 million on four treatment planning stations which will give doctors information on how to treat cancer.

Health Minister Joseph Cassar said that the planning stations would consolidate all the patients’ medical information, such as CT scans, giving professionals a 3D image of tumours and ensuring that X-Ray treatment is given with greater precision as well as with higher intensity.

The new equipment, he said, was currently being used at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital and would be transferred to the new cancer hospital being built next to Mater Dei.

Dr Cassar was launching activities aimed at raising awareness about melanoma, a form of skin cancer which claimed about six victims a year, not a high figure when compared to other countries.

Earlier, the Labour Party complained about the 10-month waiting list for the treatment of thyroid cancer, 5,000 waiting for orthopaedic operations and 1,000 waiting to have their gall bladder removed.

But the ministry reacted immediately, saying it was currently looking into the possibility that such treatment be also offered abroad. The statement pointed out that there were logistical limitations such as the fact that treatment with radioactive iodine could only be given to a limited number of people because of the radioactive element.

While the government was being proactive, the Opposition was insisting on negativity, the ministry concluded.