The government has announced plans for a major reform of the structures that fall under the Ministry of Health.
The pre-budget document, issued today, says that the regulatory function will continue to be strengthened and it will be separated from the central ministry, in order to retain its autonomy and credibility with all stakeholders.
Service provision will continue to be devolved down to entity level to the largest possible extent, by starting the creation of specific agencies. The Ministry will then develop its commissioning and purchasing function where it ‘buys’ and contracts out services to the public sector, as well as the private and NGO sectors.
The core functions which will be retained at ministry level will focus on policy and strategy, EU and International Affairs, financial and HR management.
With regard to the rehabilitation of patients, the document said that following the setting up of Karin Grech Hospital as a temporary site for rehabilitation, the government is proposing the construction of a new rehabilitation centre comprising all disciplines.
Plans for a new blood bank near Mt Carmel Hospital will be followed up.
REVAMP OF HEALTH CENTRES
The government is also planning an ambitious programme for the refurbishment of existing health centres or, where necessary, to build new centres based upon the concept launched in the consultation process of the reform, relating to three to four regional hubs, as well as smaller satellite health centres.
To this end, the government is exploring the possibility of replacing the Gzira Health Centre in the coming years.
Plans are also in hand for the refurbishment of the Mosta and Rabat Health Centres while a new site has been earmarked for Paola centre.
The document also says that a modern, transparent and sustainable system to regulate entitlement to medicines under the statutory health system is also necessary. Such a system has to take into account the advances in medicine and therapeutics that nowadays make it possible to treat illnesses that were untreatable in the past, and would widen the scope of the medicines entitlement scheme.
“The system has to ensure that the high-cost new medicines that are not affordable for individuals and families can be covered through the public health mechanism. This will be achieved through a thorough review of the government formulary for medicines.”