The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) has raised serious concerns over €10.6 million in public funds being wasted, following the government’s decision to abandon completed plans for a new acute psychiatric facility and outpatient block.
MAM criticized the inefficiency of the current approach, warning that delays could lead to the loss of €50 million in European Union funding if the Paola Health Centre project is not completed by its February deadline. The original plans, which took three years to finalize and had the full support of all stakeholders, were set to address critical healthcare infrastructure needs. However, Minister Jo-Etienne Abela has since scrapped the plans in favor of a new proposal, which would consolidate five acute psychiatric wards above the Emergency Department, while eliminating the outpatient block altogether.
Table is taken from government budget documents approved by parliament:
Green confirmed. Orange = budget estimate
MAM claims that this change, made without sufficient consultation, will require an additional €10 million in planning expenses and cause at least a two-year delay before construction begins, pushing the project’s completion back another 2 to 3 years. The association is urging Minister Abela to prioritize patient care by using the ready-made plans and starting construction immediately.
While MAM believes that Minister Abela has good intentions, the organization expressed frustration that substantial funds allocated for healthcare are being squandered without progress being made.
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