The government will begin to fund all cancer medicines if the Labour Party is elected in the upcoming general election, Robert Abela said on Monday.

The pledge is one of several proposals Abela unveiled on Monday targeting healthcare services.

When MaltaToday pointed out that the PL previously slammed this very same Nationalist proposal as impossible to achieve, the prime minister defended the shift in tone. He noted that while a portion of cancer treatments used to come from the Malta Community Chest Fund, the government would fully take over that role completely.

Abela promised to continue to invest in equipment for the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre in an effort to ensure effective interventions against cancer. He noted that the government has recently invested in Mater Dei’s first PET-CT scanner, adding that a Labour government plans to invest in a second one.

The prime minister explained that a PL government would open a Medical Investigation and Treatment Unit which would offer forms of chemotherapy directly from the St Vincent de Paul Residence.

He added that a tender has already been issued for the construction of a new 300-bed intermediate care hospital at St Vincent de Paul. The aim of the care hospital will be to support the care and recovery of patients from hospital to home care while hoping to reduce the burden on Mater Dei.

Under a PL government, the day hospital at St Vincent de Paul would also open more clinics, build a blood testing laboratory, and open a renal dialysis ward.

Expanding on investment into Mater Dei Hospital, Abela promised to continue to invest in the building, pointing out that the government has completed preparatory works to double the emergency department with a tender now awarded.

Under a PL government, Abela said that the Intensive Care Unit would also be expanded, while another much-needed 150 beds would be added to the hospital.

Abela promised to strengthen the existing 1400 helpline, which he said has helped 30,000 people since the start of its operation. Through the service, Mater Dei Hospital avoided around 15,000 admissions, Abela explained.

He pledged the creation of a mother and child hospital at Mater Dei instead of the Outpatient Department, which will be relocated elsewhere. The mother and child hospital would include operating theatres dedicated to paediatric care, a larger NPICU, a delivery suite, and an antenatal clinic.

Additionally, Abela added that the PL would ensure that the health centres of Qormi, Gżira and Rabat in Gozo will remain open 24 hours a day, while planning to begin works on a multi-modality clinic in Qawra.

He explained that the proposed Qawra facility would reduce the pressure on the Mosta health centre and offer radiology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy services, along with other services related to mental and sexual health.

Regarding support for mental health challenges, Abela said that a PL government would strengthen the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment scheme by making it available 24 hours a day and recruiting further professionals. Additionally, Abela said that a tender for a mental health hospital within Mater Dei has neared conclusion.

The prime minister proposed strengthening IVF laws if re-elected, promising to give more people the opportunity to undergo this process in Malta. He added that the government would also increase the number of IVF cycles offered free of charge from three to five.

Abela said that the government would offer free fertility testing to men and women between the ages of 18 and 25, while also pledging to offer free genetic testing to couples who wish to know their genetic compatibility before having children.

In an effort to prevent cervical cancer, the government proposed the investment into the distribution of self-screening swab tests, while offering the HPV vaccine to all women under the age of 35 and offering men access to the vaccine.

Under a PL government, the age for breast screening and blood tests for bowel cancer will be lowered to people aged 45 and over. Additionally, the screening for lung cancer will begin for people deemed high-risk, adding that the same will apply for people with a family history of pancreatic cancer. Abela added screening for prostate cancer will also be lowered for men aged 55 and over.

For this to be done effectively, Abela explained that Sir Boffa Paul Hospital would become a National Screening Centre, which would then also house the Floriana Health Centre and a 24-hour vaccination centre.

Abela also promised to invest into modern equipment with the aim of improving retinal screening for patients with diabetes. Additionally, the government would also extend the provision of insulin pumps to more patients after children and young people up to the age of 18 were offered the treatment last year.

Elaborating on treatment for diabetes, the public health service would begin providing continuous blood glucose monitors to patients with type-2 diabetes. Previously, patients suffering from type-1 diabetes, gestational diabetes and diabetes after the removal of the pancreas were offered the service.

A PL government would also extend the list of disposable orphan drugs targeting rare diseases available on the government formulary.

Abela added that the government has been working on a master plan for Karen Grech Hospital and Gozo’s General Hospital which would expand the health services offered by the government.

Under the master plan, Saint Luke’s Hospital would house a new dental unit, while the outpatient department at the same hospital would be transformed into a modern rehabilitation unit offering physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.

Abela explained that the expansion of government healthcare services will consequently provide new work opportunities in the sector, adding that young people from Malta and Gozo will be given priority for these jobs.

The event was addressed by PL Deputy leader Ian Borg, who insisted that the upcoming general election should not be based on promises, but on proven credibility and competence. Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela also spoke at the event.

Original source: mt