The long-awaited Villa Lauri project has been inaugurated in Malta, which the Ministry for Gozo said, will be providing a ”home away from home’ for Gozitans receiving medical care in Malta and their relatives.”
Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri inaugurated Villa Lauri in Birkirkara. The facility has now opened its doors as a ”social-purpose project” designed to serve as a ”home away from home,” providing a comfortable and dignified environment for patients and their families during difficult times.
Spanning four levels, the facility comprises 23 rooms and 33 beds, all equipped with essential amenities, including a kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom.
Minister Clint Camilleri stated, “for us, healthcare does not end with the provision of medical services. We understand that for many Gozitans, having to travel to Malta for medical care presents a greater challenge – both for the patients themselves and for their families. Therefore, through Villa Lauri, we are offering more than just a place to stay. We are providing comfort, peace of mind, and an environment where patients and their loved ones can feel welcomed and protected.”
The Minister explained that Villa Lauri will accommodate patients requiring treatment at Mater Dei Hospital or other hospitals in Malta, along with those accompanying them. He added that in the case of children, both parents may stay with them, while elderly individuals and persons with disabilities may be accompanied by two people.
He stressed that, “the goal is to mitigate the impact of this difficult moment in life as much as possible, by providing a roof over the heads of patients and their relatives. In doing so, we aim to make this period as manageable as possible for them. I believe this is a project that will bring a great deal of good to our society.”
The service at Villa Lauri is available to residents of Gozo who are receiving medical care in Malta and have appointments scheduled before 10am, or who need to stay overnight due to their appointment. Immediate family members who are eligible to accompany the patients may also benefit from this service.
Applications can be submitted via gozo.gov.mt, mygozo.gov.mt, or through the MyGozo app. In the event of an emergency hospital admission, please call 21560007.
It was explained that applicants must meet the established eligibility criteria and provide the necessary documentation from the hospital.
Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by stating that ”Villa Lauri is a testament to the Ministry’s commitment to continue placing the individual at the heart of its work, by offering not only services but also support and attention to patients and their families.”
The permits were first issued for work to start on the Villa Lauri Project in August 2019 [1], with the tendering process to follow, work had been due to start in April of the same year ”ready to open its doors to welcome the first residents at the beginning of 2020.”
However, there were many delays and in 2022 [2], in response to a Parliamentary Question by Opposition MP Chris Said, the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that the project was now ”planned to be completed by the year 2023.”
The saga continued, and in 2024 [3] in reply to another Parliamentary Question by Opposition MP Chris Said, the Minister for Gozo said that “it is expected that in October this year Villa Lauri in Birkirkara will open its doors to welcome the first students and relatives of Gozitan patients.”
Photos: DOI/Clifton Fenech