Updated 1100
Urgent cases to be given same day appointment at health centres from next summer: Starting in July, a new system will be introduced to reduce waiting times at health centres. Urgent cases will receive immediate attention, while non-urgent patients will be given scheduled appointments instead of waiting. Waiting times at each centre will also be published online. Additionally, AI technology will be used for breast screening alongside glaucoma screening. Currently, Malta has 10 major health centres, with Floriana, Mosta, and Paola operating 24/7, handling over a million cases annually. There are also 30 community clinics managing 130,000 cases per year. In three years, Malta plans to have enough doctors to open two more 24/7 health centres.
NAO and EC hold seminar on environmental sustainability: Auditor General Charles Deguara emphasized the importance of water for Malta’s economic sustainability during a seminar with the European Court of Auditors on environmental sustainability. He announced that Malta will host an international water conference next summer. The seminar highlighted efforts by the Auditor General’s Office to integrate sustainability into public sector audits. Maltese EU Auditor George Hyzler discussed the growing focus on defence, which could drive technological advancements but may also delay EU Green Deal targets. The event underscored the need for collaboration between the National Audit Office and the European Court of Auditors to ensure comprehensive assessments of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance.
Government aiming to ban importation of petrol and diesel cars by 2034 – Miriam Dalli: Malta aims to phase out new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales by 2034, a year ahead of the EU’s 2035 deadline, according to Environment Minister Miriam Dalli. Despite reducing grants for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), Malta still offers some of the EU’s highest incentives. Initially, grants reached €12,000 but have now dropped to €8,000. Challenges include high EV costs, limited supply, and insufficient charging infrastructure. The government plans 6,500 charging points by 2030, with 1,572 expected by the end of this year. While financial support remains crucial, Dalli anticipates new technologies aiding the transition. Malta’s ability to meet its 2034 target will depend on vehicle availability and further policy support.
Morning Briefing
Police find accused’s DNA on torches taken from AFM heist scene
DNA from two men accused in last month’s drug heist at an AFM barracks was found on torches taken from the scene, a court heard on Tuesday. CCTV footage from February 23, between midnight and 2am, showed two figures entering the Safi barracks three times through a hole in the fence to steal drugs, transporting them in shopping baskets to a waiting car. The court began hearing evidence against five men and one woman, charged with carrying out or being involved in the theft. The accused, including Sean Attard, Carlos Pace, Yousef Essesi, Cleaven Pace, Liam Stewart, and Christa Gauci, have pleaded not guilty. Police inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca stated that the case traces back to June 2024, when Customs seized a container at the freeport suspected of containing undeclared goods. Investigations revealed that 132 blocks of drugs were stolen, with 83 blocks later recovered, representing around 63% of the stolen drugs. (Maltatoday)
Cabinet approves pardon for Freehour hackers
The Cabinet has deliberated on the case involving three students and a lecturer who are facing criminal charges related to unauthorised access to Malta’s largest student application, FreeHour. It has decided to recommend a presidential pardon for the accused. Last week, students Michael Debono, Giorgio Grigolo, and Luke Bjorn Scerri were charged with illegally accessing the FreeHour app, while their lecturer, Mark Joseph Vella, was accused of being an accomplice for having proofread an email the students sent to FreeHour. All four have pleaded not guilty. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government noted the public stance taken by FreeHour, the alleged victim in this case, and acknowledged that at the time of the alleged offence, Malta did not have policies or legislation in place to address the identification of vulnerabilities and security weaknesses in organisational systems and networks. (The Malta Independent)
Drop in deaths by heart attacks
The percentage of deaths caused by heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases in Malta has seen a notable decline over the past decade, although these conditions remain the leading cause of mortality both locally and globally. A recent study analysing coronary procedures at Mater Dei Hospital over the past five years suggests that this reduction may be linked to increased early interventions. In 2013, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 40 per cent of all deaths in Malta, a figure that dropped to 29 per cent by 2023. Fatalities due to heart attacks specifically fell from 21.7 per cent of total deaths 12 years ago to 13.9 per cent last year, according to the hospital’s Cardiology Department. (Times of Malta)
