More than 100,000 pensioners made use of the kartanzjan that entitled them to such benefits as reduced public transport fares, the Parliamentary Secretary for Community Care, Mario Galea said yesterday.

About 10,000 people continued to work beyond their retirement age and were still receiving a pension, he said.

Mr Galea said that pensions increased as did community services offered to the elderly such as Meals on Wheels that dished out about 90,000 meals each year.

The number of beds in homes for the elderly increased by 800.

Health Minister Joseph Cassar said that over the past four years the government spent over €1 million a day on health services.

The number of free medicine products increased, reaching 1,300. About 76,000 individuals were collecting medicine from their local pharmacies through the Pharmacy of Your Choice Scheme.

The government was investing in the new cancer hospital and in medicine to fight cancer. About 117 lives were saved through the breast screening programme.

The number of operations carried out at Mater Dei Hospital was increasing and the waiting lists decreasing, Dr Cassar said.

Agreements were reached with private hospitals, such as the one to carry out cataract operations, he said.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat yesterday met representatives of the Malta College of Family Doctors. He spoke about the importance of investing in primary health care and of working together with the private sector and family doctors.