Maltese GU Clinic Patient Disappointed After Given Appointment In… 2024
A Maltese man hoping to book a blood test at the state-run sexual health clinic (GU Clinic) was left disappointed when the date he was given was in 2024 – five months away.
“I was told that the soonest available appointment is in January, 2024!” the man told Lovin Malta after receiving his date. “Waiting for five months is unacceptable and goes to show how inefficient our healthcare system is!”
Though it’s been announced that three new GU community clinics in Mellieħa, Marsaxlokk and Victoria, Gozo, delays in extending treatment and widening access to sexual health clinics have been commonplace.
Indeed, it is estimated that only 2% of the population visited Mater Dei’s GU clinic in 2019 to get tested for STDs. Since then, the rates of infection continued to climb.
In fact, in 2021, the GU clinic warned that there has been a worrying rise in STIs in Malta among men who reported to have attended group sex parties.
Speaking to Lovin Malta, a Health Ministry spokesperson made it clear that anyone presenting with symptoms will be seen on the day, or the next day. Anyone else will be given a date to come in for a check up.
“Asymptomatic patients are given appointments. At the moment the Health Department is in the process of acquiring Point of Care testing stations (tenders have been issued) to allow expansion of the GU service into the Community Health Centres,” the ministry said.
It also added that “five additional doctors have completed their training to be able to lead these community GU clinics”.
Have you faced delays when booking sexual health appointments?
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