Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.
A giant leap forward in enhancing the diagnosis of cancer
Project completed
Dr Anthony Samuel Nuclear medicine specialist Head of the radiology department of the Mater Dei Hospital presents a PET scanner. © SDC
SDC
The installation of a modern tomograph in the public hospital in Malta affords access to improved cancer diagnosis for the general public. Until now, patients requiring cancer diagnostic facilities were obliged either to travel abroad or go to a private clinic. Many of Malta’s inhabitants found this impossible for financial reasons. This project therefore reduces inequalities in the Maltese healthcare system.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Malta |
Improving social security
Hospital modernisation
|
01.03.2010
- 31.05.2013 |
CHF 2’794’000
|
- National State Institute North
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Unallocated / Unspecified
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Sectors not specified
Aid Type Enlargement contribution
Project number 7F06760
| Background |
Cancer treatment in Malta is currently housed at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital. It can essentially be considered as Malta’s oncology centre and is currently the only public facility in Malta that provides radiotherapy treatment. It is equipped with 3 accelerators, one cobalt unit and one superficial X-ray treatment machine.The majority of cancer patients in Malta receive therapy through this department.The radio-diagnostic capacities in Malta today are insufficient. Cancer patients that require a scan go to overseas centres, if they can afford to. No patients are sent abroad through the Maltese National Health Service. This is thus causing a disparity of care for the most part of Maltese patients.The centre shall be inter alia greatly enhanced with diagnostic capacity through the installation of a PETscanner. The projected time-frame for the completion of the oncology facility is 2012. The space for the installation of the PET/CT scanner and the supporting facilities has already been identified within the existing premises of Mater Dei Hospital. |
| Objectives |
The project aims at providing the access to PET/CT diagnostic facilities in Malta to all patients by installing a PET/CT scanner at the Mater Dei Hospital. The project shall allow to provide the full range of services in the oncology field in Malta, from diagnosis to treatments. This will improve the comfort of patients in Malta and avoid expensive travels overseas. |
| Target groups |
Patients affected by cancer diseases (400,000 inhabitants). To a lesser degree a subset of cardiac patients and a subset of neurological patients. |
| Activities |
The overall investment project for establishing a PET/CT at the Mater Dei Hospital encompasses: • Tendering process (2010) • Site preparation (2010/EUR 354,000) • Scquisition and instalment of equipment (2011/EUR 2.0 million) • Instalment of the Hot lab fractionator (2011/EUR 177,000) |
| Results |
Achieved results:
|
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Swiss Contribution to the enlarged EU |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Foreign state institution Other partners Intermediary body: Ministry of Social Policy – Health Department; Executing Agency: Mater Dei Hospital Malta – Medical Imaging Division |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 2’794’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 2’791’286 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 01.03.2010 - 31.05.2013 (Completed) |
Modern CT scanner for Malta
In order to treat cancer efficiently and successfully, a modern diagnostic infrastructure is necessary. In Malta this infrastructure is only available in one private clinic. As a result, for financial reasons large sections of the Maltese population have not had access to modern cancer diagnostic facilities, as patients must pay for any treatment abroad or in the private clinic themselves.
A new, modern cancer diagnostic facility
To treat cancer effectively it is first of all necessary to locate tumours and determine what parts of the body are affected. The radiological infrastructure for early diagnosis of cancer in Malta was inadequate. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a new, quick and precise method of diagnosing cancer. However, PET scans are very expensive.
Equal access for all citizens
As a result of the project, a modern PET scanner was financed and installed in Malta's primary public healthcare facility, the Mater Dei Hospital. The installation of this PET scanner in a public hospital, i.e. as part of Malta's public healthcare services, contributes to providing the population with equal access to medical care. The poorer segments of the Maltese population no longer has to pay for this therapy themselves as the government healthcare service will reimburse patients the costs of oncological treatment in the hospital. This is also the first step towards setting up an independent oncology centre in this hospital. Maltese radiologists have enhanced their knowledge of the PET/CT scanner thanks to the transfer of knowledge and experience with the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), of the regional hospital in Bellinzona.
Thanks to the project:
• A PET scanner in the public Mater Dei Hospital in Malta is installed.
• Access to improved cancer diagnostic facilities for the entire population of Malta, regardless of their financial situation is ensured.
• Cancer diagnosis and treatment on Malta is improved.
• The establishment of an independent oncology centre in the Mater Dei Hospital is promoted.
• Personnel to use the PET scanner is trained.
Switzerland is supporting this project to the tune of 2.8 million francs from the funds of the Swiss enlargement contribution. Since the installation of the tomograph in the "Mater Dei" public hospital at the beginning of 2013, approximately 10,000 scans have been carried out. Now, following the completion of the project, maintenance and personnel costs will be taken over in full by Malta's public health system.
