Lawrence Gonzi promises Health Minister his full trust

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this evening said that Health Minister Joe Cassar enjoyed his full trust and government would be behind him to vote against a looming no-confidence motion.

Addressing the party faithful at the Granaries in Floriana, Gonzi said that Malta’s health system was the envy of others and a no-confidence motion in the health minister will not be enjoying the support of the government MPs.

The no-confidence motion in Joe Cassar is expected to be presented in parliament by backbencher Franco Debono.

“The head of the World Health Organisation said that we have one of the best health systems in the world. What better certificate of trust in Joe Cassar is that?” Gonzi said.

Starting off the Independence festivities discussions at the Granaries in Floriana, today’s activity focused on the health sector. The discussion was marked by a number of interventions from the public and a number of recorded interviews with persons who benefitted from the health services.

Gonzi insisted that as long as the Nationalist Party remained in government, free health services were guaranteed.

Even though the health sector costs the country €1 million every day, Gonzi said that this would remain sustainable as long as the economy continued to prosper and grow and investment is attracted.

“It is also possible because it is a question of choice. Everything is a choice... mychoice.pn means nothing else than it’s time to make a choice. I am convinced that the PN has always made the right decisions,” the PN leader said.

“It chose the country’s Independence because as a party we always believed in the people. The same can be said to Malta’s accession to the European Union. One choice after the other, the people were always our priority.”

Gonzi added that whether the health sector was sustainable or not boiled down to government’s priorities.

 “For the PN your health is important... so important that it costs us a €1 million every day.”

Gonzi spoke about the environment as one of the factors that affect health and the importance of preventing health problems.

“That’s why we invested in health education for both young and adult. We closed down the Maghtab landfill to give this country clean air,” he said.

Gonzi invited the public to his hometown of Wied il-Ghajn to "smell the fresh air” brought about by the development of the Sant Antnin waste recycling plant.

“I was sorry that the Labour Party tried to hinder plans for the development of this plant,” he added.

Gonzi also referred to government’s investment for cancer patients and said that through the breast-screening programme, the lives of over 100 women were saved.

On the criticism levelled by the Labour Party on waiting lists, Gonzi said no one better than the thousands who have received the services at Mater Dei would be able to give them an answer.

“We have the best machines at Mater Dei because we bought the best machines,” he said, through a round of applause.

Gonzi also spoke about government’s plans, in collaboration with the Malta Community Chest Fund, to help patients suffering from eating disorders problems.

On the development of the new oncology hospital, Gonzi said this development couldn’t be made at the Boffa Hospital because the premises weren’t adequate.

A round of applause was also made for former health minister Louis Deguara, whom Gonzi saluted.

In a side comment, Gonzi said it was ridiculous that Labour MP Joe Debono Grech said that the Independence festivities were the “PN’s festivities”.

“Independence is the feast of Maltese and Gozitans alike. Even though 48 years have passed, they [PL] still cannot accept it,” Gonzi said.

Concluding his speech, Gonzi said it was part of politics to raise criticism, but people should understand what a Nationalist government can achieve.

“We achieved good results during turbulent times... imagine what we can do during the good times,” he said.