The Barts Medical School is set to open in Malta following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry for Health, the Ministry for Education and Queen Mary University of London.

Addressing a public consultation meeting part of the 'Government that Listens' campaign at Mater Dei Hospital, Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said Malta had the potential to become a hub in medical studies.

"This agreement will not only serve as an economic boost to the island but will also serve as an international brand for Malta in the medical field. This project will attract the best medical professionals," he said.

Farrugia fielded question from the general public, including some coming from Gozo after a Skype chat was set up at the Gozo General Hospital.

The minister reiterated it was his ministry's intention to continue opening up health centres during this legislature in a bid to alleviate the burden from Mater Dei Hospital.

"This acute hospital should be specializing in acute medicine. But 70% of patients admitted to the emergency department are not acute cases... they do not even come with a referral from their GP," Farrugia said.

He added that as the fertility rate decreased, cancer rate increased and people live longer years, the dependency on public healthcare will increase.

"We have to provide patients with alternative places in the community or in hospitals catering for rehabilitation. We have a modern hospital that is providing quality care but is burdened with patients who should not be here because the care they require should be provided elsewhere," he said.

Farrugia said the government was already investing in primary healthcare and healthcare centres. 1.2 million were invested to equip the Floriana and Rahal Gdid centres with x-ray systems.

"The Rahal Gdid healthcare centre is just the first of a number of centres we plan to open during this legislature."

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Government secures MoU with Queen Mary University to open medical school