New Health Minister Joseph Cassar was sworn in this morning by President George Abela.

The ceremony took place at the Palace in Valletta in the presence of, among others, the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and members of Dr Cassar's family.

A psychiatrist by profession, Dr Cassar takes over responsibilities for the health sector from John Dalli, who is now European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy.

Dr Cassar's immediate priorities are the current reform of primary healthcare and dealing with a shortage of beds at Mater Dei Hospital.

His appointment was announced last night in a Cabinet reshuffle.

Most of Mr Dalli's other former responsibilities in the Ministry of Social Policy were assigned to Dolores Cristina, who also remains responsible for education.

However her former responsibilities for culture were added to the responsibilities of Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco (see separate story).

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