Former Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia speaking in Parliament this afternoon said he had laid the groundwork for reforms of the health sector and much of what was promised in the Budget for that year was delivered.

He was glad, he said, that both sides of the House now appeared to agree on what the health sector should achieve, and that there should be a public-private mix.

The lesson which the country had learnt, albeit belatedly, was that the hospital and primary health systems should be on the same level.

Dr Farrugia welcomed increased spending on various sectors, such as medicines, but said this was not enough. A culture change was needed, particularly in the finance section, which needed to be updated to current needs. It was not true that the health sector was a bottomless pit in as far as costs were involved. Everything had been costed, and what was needed was effective macro management.

Referring to  primary and community healthcare, Dr Farrugia asked what was to become of Gzira health centre, with its current location being totally unsuitable.

Various health offices, such as the one at Zebbug, also needed to be revamped. One would not last a minute as Zebbug health office, he said.  

Dr Farrugia underlined the importance of Community healthcare teams and family doctors and stressed that group practises needed to be encouraged and IT networking and e-prescriptions were a must.

He said a lot needed to be done on rehabilitation services. Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital had been improved for those aged over 65, but what about patients who were younger? If EU funds for a rehabilitation hospital were not possible, a PPP should be considered.

On Gozo, he said all health sections in Gozo, including primary health care should be under the health ministry. He called on the Gozo ministry not continue to resist possible site locations for a health centre in Victoria.

Gozo Hospital, he added, should serve as a support facility for Mater Dei.

He said it was a disgrace that breast care services had not been extended.

In other points, Dr Farrugia said acute psychiatric healthcare should be managed from Mater Dei.

Dr Farrugia welcomed the drop in out of stock medicines but insisted that patients suffering fibromyalgia (FM)  and hyper activity disorder should not be denied their state-funded medicines.

Earlier, Labour MP  Marlene Farrugia called on Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi to be clear in his plans for the new power station and the people of the south needed to be given a clear explanation as to why they had to ensure the sacrifice of having a huge, ugly gas tanker anchored in Marsaxlokk.

The minister also needed to clearly explain the costs of energy purchases by Enemalta when the power station and interconnector were commissioned.