Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning that he was confident that the country could afford to keep healthcare free of charge, in the same way it did  in the past five turbulent years.

"If we could keep healthcare free during the storm, while increasing the services we offered, we can keep doing this once the storm passes, and I'm sure it will pass," he said.

He added that Malta was privileged to be able to invest in free healthcare rather than weaponry, like other countries did.

Speaking to supporters in Villa Arrigo, Dr Gonzi said the country managed to invest heavily in the health sector over the past five years while reducing its deficit more than other EU countries.

Besides introducing new free medicines, including 11 expensive cancer treatments, the Government also invested in regional health centres, the first of which would be inaugurated in Mosta. Another would be finished in St Julian's and a third would be in the South.

Meanwhile, the Government would improve the services at the Gozo hospital. All these initiatives were intended to reduce the burden on Mater Dei Hospital.

The cancer hospital adjacent to Mater Dei would be opened by the end of this year, he added. The PN was also promising to open a rehabilitation centre for patients who are recovering from operations.

Dr Gonzi poked fun at Labour for having agreed in Parliament with the Government's Mental Health Act only to propose the same Act as an electoral pledge.