Opposition spokesman for Health Claudio Grech said that the Budget did not meet the high expectations there were of it.
Still, it contained certain positive aspects such as the continuation of the oncologyhospital, the strengthening of the screening process and the increase in prosthetics and orthotics.
The Opposition was concerned that the government did not make health its priority. The capital vote on health had been reduced and Mater Dei Hospital had become the “be all and end all” of the health sector.
The solution lay with various other players in the health sector. The more one centralised services, the less Mater Dei would become manageable and effective.
The hospital faced two endemic problems, said Mr Grech, one being that some patients were left in corridors, which was undignified.
The Private Public Partnerships were creating conflict and discrimination between members of the medical profession who were being paid at different rates.
This year-long contract was an agreement by government with its employees, so it was not really a public/private partnership. Everyone should be paid adequately across the board.
Also missing from this Budget was any reference to incentives for the public to take out private health insurance to reduce the burden on Mater Dei. If the private sector was ready to invest and take over operations usually done by the national hospital, then the government should help this sector.
However, medical tourism should be left to the private sector.
If a patient was ready to go abroad for treatment, than the government should be willing to cover the expense here in Malta for the same treatment.
The number of long-term stays by an ageing population at St Luke’s were on the increase. This was worrying because that was not the function of a rehabilitation hospital.
It was a strategic mistake that the elderly sector was not linked to health, and this lack of co-ordination meant that additional pressure was being placed on Mater Dei.
Mr Grech also pointed out that investment in regional hubs such as Floriana and Gżira, which badly needed refurbishment, were not mentioned. They catered for 3,500 patients daily and an allocation of €0.5 million was definitely not enough.
In 2013 the government had closed down the emergency unit on weekends at a private hospital, saying this same service could be provided at health centres at a much lower rate.
However the answer was not to privatise health centres, Mr Grech said.
He said GPs should be given a more central role in primary care, allowing them to approve Schedule 5 (yellow cards) and also carry out radiology and other tests.
An ageing population, and chronic problems like diabetes and obesity were going to present huge challenges, and this government needed to provide tangible solutions.
Mr Grech said the Opposition would continue to work towards consensus on this crucial national issue while ensuring that social justice continued to be reflected in health policies.