C ommo nwe a l t h memb e r c o u n t r i e s funded primary health care is delivered through eight health centres – seven in Malta and one in Gozo – supplemented by a further 42 clinics around the country. The health centres are staffed by nurses and GPs, and offer services such as antenatal and postnatal clinics, well baby clinics, diabetes clinics, ophthalmic clinics, podiatry and psychiatric clinics. Most pharmacies offer a GP service at specified times, but patients usually pay to use this. There are five public hospitals – two are acute hospitals and three are specialised hospitals; there are also a number of private hospitals and clinics. The main hospital in Malta is the Mater Dei Hospital – one of the largest medical buildings in Europe. A rise in the take up of private health care has led to an increase of private health care clinics and hospitals in Malta. Private health services can either be paid for through insurance or on a pay-asyou go basis. Large employers sometimes contract private doctors to tend the needs of their employees. Most state-employed GPs also work in private practice. All residents have access to preventive, investigative, curative and rehabilitation services in public health centres and hospitals; those with chronic conditions get free pharmaceuticals. The Ministry of Health, Elderly and Community Care is responsible for all health services, including policy and planning, health promotion and primary care. Malta has developed a solid regulatory infrastructure for the pharmaceutical sector through the autonomous Medicines Authority and, in pursuit of the country’s aim to become a destination for health tourism, the government has implemented various policies to attract growth in the pharmaceutical industry. The Roche-Bolar Exemption, for example, was established by the government to allow Maltese companies to develop generic drugs in advance of patent expiry to speed up access to the market. These policies have attracted large multinationals to operate in the country. Main health concerns and plans for remedial action: Malta has a life expectancy of 80 years, up from 75 years in 1990 and 78 years in 2000. Gains have been primarily due to reduced child and maternal mortality, and improved longevity for other age groups, particularly for older people with chronic diseases. Non-communicable diseases are Malta’s biggest health issue. Bronchial asthma is a particular health concern – its high prevalence is partly explained by the hot and humid climate, genetic disposition and high smoking rates. The Ministry of Health, Elderly and Community Care has introduced policies focused on raising awareness of the health risks associated with smoking, Under-five mortality 12 10 8 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Under-five mortality per 1,000 live births 100 80 210 Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015 6 Life expectancy 1980 1990 2000 2013 Life expectancy Life expectancy in years 60 Mortality by cause of death (% of all deaths), 2012 Communicable diseases, Injuries maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions Non-communicable diseases Tuberculosis: Incidence and mortality 1990 2000 2010 Mortality excluding cases comorbid with HIV (per100,000 people) Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people) – including cases comorbid with HIV 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015
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