The health sector continues being one of the main money grabbers for a country that provides free health care with another €37.6 million being pumped into the service for a total expenditure of €415.9 million next year.
2012 will see the launch of a strategy for obesity prevention for all ages
“We want the best health service for families. These services, together with those offered by the family doctor and other private operators, are part of the foundations which protect our country’s social fabric,” Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said.
As part of its “primary priority” to treat cancer, the government is building on the success of the national breast screening programme, now in its fourth year.
Next year will see the introduction of a colorectal screening programme in an attempt to identify cancer in its earliest stage to avoid related deaths.
The construction of an Oncology Centre at Mater Dei Hospital has started and is expected to start receiving its first patients by mid-2013. It will cater for 74 patients and 22 more in day care.
In the meantime, services at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital will continue to improve.
The never ending problem of waiting lists for operations is also being addressed, with this being described as a “major challenge”. In 2010, 41,795 operations were carried out, up from the 32,764 operations in the last full year at St Luke’s Hospital.
“The indications are that this year will be even better,” Mr Fenech said.
The agreement with the private sector on PET scans and cataract operations will also cover hip replacements next year. The government was also in discussions with consultants who work in hospitals in Europe to return to work here.
With regard to medicines, the fifth and second schedules are being reformed so that hundreds of those who suffer from chronic conditions and who so far have no assistance in buying their medicines, will start benefiting from a number of free medicines.
Dementia sufferers stand to gain with €200,000 allocated for the free provision of medicines for the treatment of dementia.
The Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme will be extended. So far, 60,000 people are being served from 129 pharmacies of their choice.
In its efforts to strengthen primary care, some health centres are being refurbished to help the family doctor offer the best service. Besides, following the launch of the national sexual health policy, 2012 will see a strategy for obesity prevention for all ages being unveiled.
With about 130 mental health care professionals working in the community, the time spent at Mount Carmel Hospital has been reduced considerably.
A sum of €450,000 has been allocated for another day centre and clinic in Gżira, with the extension of this service to Mosta, Rabat and Birkirkara on the cards.
With an allocation of €100,000, the crisis intervention team, which offers round-the-clock assistance to 33,000 mental health sufferers, will continue to be strengthened. A new service aimed at adolescents with mental health problems is also planned.