“Through the direct foreign investment of € 200 million in the health sector, we will be creating 1200 new jobs.” This was stated by the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat while he was addressing a political activity in Qala, Gozo.

The Prime Minister explained that there is now a strategic partner with us, and through the agreement signed with Barts, Gozo will have a new hospital, on the the same level as Mater Dei , where the health care will remain free. He also said that a call for investors is to be made.

Dr Muscat explained that there will be 125 beds in Gozo to accommodate tourists from abroad to take advantage of the medical service, who will in turn, be paying for a service and subsequently will be helping to make the medical system more sustainable for locals.

About the same agreement signed with Barts, which the Labour Leader said, “is among the best universities of medicine not only in Europe but in the world.” He said, “the first option for the medical school was precisely Gozo, Gozo and the Gozitans can not survive living off the scrapings of Malta.”

Muscat explained that when completed this school will host 300 students, these students will be living in Gozo during the year, possibly with their families, will have to rent accommodation, and have to eat, either purchasing food or eating out, imagine what a difference this will make for the Gozitan economy, said the Prime Minister.

The refurbishment and reopening of St Luke’s Hospital will mean less pressure on Mater Dei, Dr Muscat said.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the out of stock medicines and mentioned how this Government had reduced this list from 130 to 5, claiming that in the last 3 weeks there was not one drug was out of stock.

The Prime Minister mentioned that waiting list for operations had also been improved. Muscat explained “that by this agreement signed in the field of health, the problem of lack of space inherited by this Government will be addressed.”

Finally, Joseph Muscat reiterated that he will be voting in favour of spring hunting, “today I feel I should make it clear why I took this position, I am not a hunter, but I always believe that the citizens of this country should be equal to others.”

“The easiest thing I could have done is to to keep quiet, however, I believe that the Government is strong enough to take decisions against those who break the law. Because the criminals, who are a small minority, should not make the law-abiding hunters suffer for their actions.”

“This Government, whatever happens in the referendum, will remain tough on those hunters who are breaking the law.”

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