Plans for the privatisation of health centres were shot down by Opposition health spokesman Claudio Grech, who yesterday argued this would only serve to fuel tensions and give rise to industrial disputes.
“The best way forward is to invest heavily in primary health care, especially in a number of health centres such as those in Gżira and Floriana, which are in dire need of refurbishment,” Mr Grech said.
The PN spokesman was commenting on government plans to run the Cospicua health centre through a public-private partnership, during a news conference outside the National Screening Centre in Floriana.
Mr Grech noted that next year government expenditure on health centres would be €500,000, which is some €300,000 lower than the sum allocated in the final year of the last PN administration.
The best way forward is to invest heavily
He said that doctors and nurses at the various health centres were highly qualified and so questioned the possible benefits of a public private partnership.
The PN spokesman called for the introduction of free screening for chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases along the lines of existing services to diagnose breast cancer and colorectal cancer at an early stage.
Mr Grech also proposed making better use of family doctors, to help Mater Dei consultants issue free medicines for chronic conditions. Such a plan was feasible as the necessary provisions were already in place thanks to the collective agreement signed in February of 2013, the PN spokesman said.
He argued that this would affect some 100,000 patients and free up more time for consultants to focus on medical aspects rather than clerical duties.
Nurses’ union
The nurses’ union has said private public partnerships were a catalyst for increasing costs and expenses while reducing the level of care.
The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said PPPs in the community sector did not make sense especially when the Cospicua health centre was “giving a sterling service” to residents.
In the past, the cost of surgical operations was much higher carried out in the private sector when compared to Mater Dei Hospital. In fact, this outsourcing was short-lived especially because of the hefty bills.
The union said it recently held a meeting with the nurses at the Cospicua health centre and discussed a number of issues ranging from data protection of passwords to specific health computer programmes linking to Mater Dei Hospital.
Another issue was that the Cospicua health centre was not equipped with a room and equipment to provide the service of an ant-coagulant clinic. This was postponed due to the privatization plans for the health centre, the union said.
It pointed out that it was a great pity that Opposition health spokesman Claudio Grech had taken PPP into “the heart of the PN political agenda” without consulting with the stakeholders.
The union appealed to the government to seriously reconsider PPP programmes that would result in increased running costs for the taxpayer while reducing the level of services.