Speaking at a news conference today, with the Spokesperson for Gozo Chris Said, MP Kevin Cutajar and PN candidate Josephine Xuereb, they emphasised that, “a Nationalist Party in government is promising a full commitment to take back the health service so that Gozitans have a really excellent service.”
They explained that this would not only be in health in general but also in care and support in the community of the elderly, people with disabilities and those with dementia and mental health difficulties.
The speakers claimed that when the Government sold the hospitals to the private sector it deprived Gozitans of a health service appropriate to people in a modern country.
They argued that, “promises of investment and service improvements have not been fulfilled and Gozitans have lost control of the health service in Gozo.”
The Nationalist Party has therefore presented ten proposals for the health sector in Gozo:
1. Health services in Gozo are returned to Gozitans.
2. A new General Hospital, among others, modern and equipped for Gozitans.
3. All Steward Healthcare staff would be retained and integrated into the hospital and the new service.
4. Increase in the provision of more types of chemotherapy at the Gozo General Hospital for Gozitans.
5. A new MRI service at the Gozo General Hospital.
6. Sufficient helipads on the Gozo General Hospital and on Mater Dei for the emergency transfer of patients from Gozo to Malta.
7. Community care and support for the elderly with the opening of five homes for the elderly in five different localities and this would be done in the first legislature.
8. Community care and support for Gozitan people with mental health challenges. 9. Community care and support for people with disabilities.
10. Community care and support for people with dementia.
The speakers concluded by saying that these proposals are the result of a discussion held in the cluster dedicated to Gozo, “there are a large number of proposals that will continue to be unveiled in the coming weeks.”