A gait lab is to be set up at Mater Dei Hospital in a few weeks' time.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said this facility would be especially important for the treatment of children who have neuro-muscular problems.

At present some patients are sent for tests abroad.

The gait lab will feature a 'sensitive floor' and cameras to record patients' gait.

The lab will be set up in association with the university, Dr Fearne told Labour MP Godfrey Farrugia. 

CERVICAL SCREENING

The parliamentary secretary also told Labour MP Anthony Agius Decelis that cervical screening would in the next few months be available in all health centres. It is currently only provided from Floriana health centre and in Victoria Gozo.

The service was introduced in October last year and Dr Fearne said he was disappointed that the acceptance rate was only 22 per cent. However about half of women aged 25-35 carried out private cervical screening, he said.

Screening, he said, reduced cervical cancer by as much as 80 per cent. He was confidence that as the screening service was extended and given more publicity, the acceptance rate would increase. 

MORE SCREENING SERVICES

Dr Fearne said other screening services due to be introduced in the near future included screening of babies for possible eye, ear and heart conditions and screening for those population groups at risk of suffering diabetes.