The Labour Party spokesman on health, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, has called on the governemnt to explain how prices in the health sector are rising faster in Malta than in the EU.
She said that many people were having to borrow to pay for medical services.
She said that prices in the health sector rose by 3% in Malta between 2008 and 2010 while in the EU the increase was 2%.
At the same time, she pointed out, the average salary in Malta was half that of the EU average.
|
|
(2008 – 2010) |
(2008 - 2010) |
|
|
|
Moving Average |
Average Difference |
|
|
|
Per cent |
Percentage Points |
|
|
|
Malta |
EU |
|
|
HEALTH |
3.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
Medical products, appliances and Equipment |
1.5 |
1.2 |
0.3 |
|
Pharmaceutical products |
1.2 |
1.3 |
-0.1 |
|
Other medical products |
2.2 |
1.0 |
1.2 |
|
Out-Patient services |
5.3 |
2.4 |
2.9 |
|
Medical services; paramedical services |
5.2 |
2.1 |
3.1 |
|
Dental services |
5.5 |
2.7 |
2.8 |
|
Hospital services |
1.9 |
3.3 |
-1.4 |