Budget 2025: €14 Million Will Be Invested To Decrease Waiting Times In Health Sector
€14 million will be invested in the country’s healthcare sector as part of the 2025 national budget, in a bid to decrease waiting lines across the system, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said adding that this is partly thanks to satisfactory economic growth that such measures have become possible.
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced this measure in tonight’s speech alongside new initiatives within the sector of mental health that will cost the country €4.5 million.
Among these initiatives is a pilot project launched for local councils willing to join aimed at combatting the stigma of mental health for those seeking help.
The government will also be issuing tenders in the coming months to expand hospital emergency services, intensive care and acute psychiatric care.
Caruana further declared an increase in capital and recurrent investments in the health sector.
As part of his annual budget speech, the minister noted satisfactory economic growth amounting to around 4.3% in real and nominal GDP.
This is quite significant when comparing the 1.6% average growth within the EU.
As Malta’s population has grown significantly and aged, so has the strain on the country’s infrastructure with the health sector being particularly impacted.
In September, the Malta Medical Association criticised the lack of infrastructure translating to “unacceptable waiting times” after the inquiry into Stephen Mangion’s death.
However, this issue has been persisting long before September with proposals to combat long waiting times, understaffing and lack of space included in the Labour Party’s 2022 manifesto.
Stay tuned for more updates from the 2025 Budget speech.
Do you think this investment will relieve some of the strain on Malta’s healthcare system?
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