The inauguration of a new CT scanner at St Vincent de Paul Residence marks much more than the completion of another project. It is a clear step forward in our commitment to build a healthcare system that is modern, inclusive, and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
This investment is part of a much wider €58.6 million programme funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021–2027, aimed at upgrading Malta’s medical infrastructure and replacing outdated equipment. The scanner installed at San Vinċenz is a milestone in that effort – not only because of its advanced technology, but because of the values it represents: equal access to care, respect for patient dignity, and forward-looking governance.
For the first time in Malta, we now have a CT scanner that can be used by patients weighing up to 300 kilograms. Previously, individuals above a certain weight threshold were excluded from accessing this critical diagnostic service. With this new equipment, valued at €1.5 million – of which €900,000 was co-financed by EU funds – we have eliminated that barrier, widening the circle of inclusion in healthcare.
The scanner will serve not only the residents of San Vinċenz de Paul, but also patients referred from outside. This decentralisation of diagnostic services will help alleviate pressure on Mater Dei Hospital, reduce waiting times, and improve the overall patient flow across our national healthcare network. In its first year alone, we expect this scanner to carry out around 10,000 scans – a figure that represents both efficiency and reach.
“This investment is part of a larger vision: to enhance the resilience of our healthcare system.”
More importantly, this investment is part of a larger vision: to enhance the resilience of our healthcare system. The lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic are still fresh. We have learned that resilience is built through preparation, investment, and innovation. This is why, through EU funds, we are not just replacing what is old, but we are building something better.
The benefits of this project are immediate and measurable: faster diagnoses, more accurate results, better treatment outcomes, and broader access for all patients. But its real value lies in the long-term impact – how it contributes to a more agile, responsive, and inclusive healthcare system.
Recently, together with my colleague Minister Jo Etienne Abela, we also inaugurated a national project for a new legal framework for long-term elderly care. That, too, is a reflection of the same principles: dignity, inclusion, and proactive planning. These projects are not isolated. They are interconnected pillars of a national strategy built on service and responsibility.
We are determined to fulfil the ambitious commitments of our electoral programme. Better healthcare, closer to the people, based on real needs – not slogans. The support of European funding is instrumental in delivering on this promise. But EU funds, resourceful as they are, must be matched with vision, dedication, and careful implementation.
This investment is proof of what can be achieved when all these elements come together. It is a reminder that with the right tools and the right priorities, we can truly make a difference in the lives of our people.
Let us continue to use these opportunities wisely to invest not only in equipment, but in the wellbeing of the citizens we serve.
