Malta has the 23rd most consumer friendly healthcare system in Europe, according to the 2008 Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI) launched today in Brussels. This is three steps down from last year’s 20th position and a much poorer performance than the 13th rank in 2006, placing Malta on a declining trend.
The Netherlands lead the 31 country ranking with a score of 839 points, followed by Denmark (Diabetes Index winner in 2008), Austria (EHCI winner in 2007), Luxemburg and Sweden.
In six categories, covering 34 performance indicators, Malta scores 532 points out of a potential 1,000. Remarkable for Malta is that they scored better in the two diagnoses Indexes in 2008, cardiovascular healthcare and diabetes.
“As Malta got its first state-of-the-art hospital opened in November 2007, major improvements can be expected in future indexes,” comments Dr. Arne Björnberg, Research Director for the Euro Health Consumer Index. “An emphasis on preventive medicine could help alleviate public health problems such as the high obesity rate, which presumably is a significant part of the reason behind the high Maltese rate of diabetics.
What more could be done in Malta?
“For the time being new medicines are prevented from rapidly entering the public subsidy scheme; Malta needs better access to medicines, as well as patient rights and outcomes improvement,” says the president of the Health Consumer Powerhouse, Mr. Johan Hjertqvist, when analysing the Index outcomes for Malta.
About the Index
The Euro Health Consumer Index is the annual ranking of national European healthcare systems across six key areas: Patient rights and information, e-Health, Waiting time for treatment, Outcomes, Range and reach of services provided and Pharmaceuticals. 31 countries are covered. First published in 2005, the EHCI is sourced from public statistics and independent research. The producer is the analysis and information organisation Health Consumer Powerhouse. As with all other HCP Indexes, the organisation takes a consumer-centred position.
For more information and report:
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