The standing committee should not only focus on Mater Dei, Nationalist MP Claudio Grech said.

The House of Representatives has given the go-ahead for the setting up of a parliamentary committee for health.

Approval was given after a motion by Opposition health spokesman Claudio Grech. He said the committee should not only focus on Mater Dei Hospital but adopt a holistic approach. Stakeholders should have an important role in the drafting of policy.

He said that this was a historical step that manifested the Opposition’s political maturity.

The committee would have normal powers and would respect the government’s legitimate authority to govern the country.

Consensus in the health sector was essential, however, because negativism resulted in political mediocrity.

The Opposition sought to set an agenda with the government to strengthen health services.

One should prioritise rare conditions, treating obesity and diabetes and addressing the problems of beds at Mater Dei.

He said that health was one of the most important sectors and this obliged politicians to treat it differently. Patients should come before politics; politics should not be placed first at the expense of patients.

Health Minister Geoffrey Farrugia said the government agreed with the motion and would vote for it.

The government, which had made the health sector its priority, faced a challenge to keep offering free healthcare, especially to those more vulnerable.

It also believed that there should be a holistic plan, having one service framework that would cater for the needs of future generations.

It was in favour of an open administration, so much so that it published two White Papers on medicine and food supplements.

Despite the usual winter crisis, the turnover of long-term patients at Karin Grech Hospital had never been better, the medicine shortage was being tackled at its root and services in the locality were being increased, Dr Farrugia said.

The motion was unanimously approved.