A sustainable health-care system for Malta and Gozo

Abstract

The Health of people in a nation does not only involve medical excellence, but also the economic sustainability of all the services offered to the citizens, whether being a ‘free’ health system or one that requires payment from patients. Free health services at the point of delivery are accomplishments of the welfare state of the country that merits to be backed up to strengthen social justice. This is funded by weekly social security contributions that all employers and employees pay (dependents are covered by employed family members). Malta has a unique delivery of healthcare services. It is a strong public health care system known as government health services for all Maltese citizens, and an equally strong private health care system, making it a popular destination for medical tourism throughout developed countries. The state fund offers most medical services comprising specialist treatment, hospitalization, medicine prescriptions and dispensing, pregnancy, childbirth and rehabilitation. Low income people qualify to receive free pharmaceuticals after being means-tested by the Department of Social Security. A list of diseases and ailments also make people eligible for free treatment. Provisions to promote medical tourism and the proposals for renovation of the abandoned St. Luke’s Hospital and the refurbishment and extension of the Gozo General Hospital with a boost from the private sector also support health care sustainability. Retirement pension schemes are being encouraged to pave the way for low income employees to start saving for their retirement and participate in voluntary schemes such as third pillar pensions.