Even though the government hospital is free for locals, private hospitals are not. Taking out a private Health Insurance is convenient because it means that:

• you do not have to pay for private service;
• you do not have to wait for a long time for operations and specialists’ appointments;
• you get paid for nightly stays at the government hospital if you decide to stay there.

When you take out a Travel Health Insurance you are covered for the time that you are on holiday. According to the premium that you pay is what you will get back. For example if you pay a high premium you are entitled to thousands of euro if in need of hospital care or doctors’ appointments whereas, if you pay a low premium you will probably get the bare basics.

It is always good to cover oneself health wise when going on holiday. Since Malta is now part of the EU one can automatically get health insurance for free for EU countries only when they apply for the European Health Insurance Card. This applies to Maltese citizens when travelling abroad and vice-versa when foreigners who are in possession of the European Health Insurance Card come to Malta. With this card, foreigners are treated as locals. Any local treatment that we would get for free, anybody from the EU in possession of this card would get automatically. Unfortunately, this does not apply to people who are not in the EU and they will have to take out a separate Health Insurance.

Anesthetic is essential to perform eye surgery as the whole process is extremely laborious and highly complicated. The surgery process can also include laser remodeling of the cornea or interventions to eliminate cataracts.

The latter is by far the most common process currently used in Malta. Laser surgery can also cure several conditions such as myopia and astigmatism which up to a few years ago were deemed to be incurable.

Costs for eye laser surgery are relatively high and can run into tens of thousands of Euros for prolonged treatment although this depends up to a certain extent on the complexity of the procedures involved. Average costs for simple interventions are around EUR 1500 for a simple cataract operation. Recovery is usually instantaneous in these cases but is obviously slightly longer for more complex procedures. There have been no painful after effects reported for simple eye laser surgery although the eye obviously must be covered properly for some after laser interventions to prevent infections and complications.

Malta boasts a state of the art stae hospital network which is chiefly centred around the recently built Mater Dei Hospital. This can accommodate 800 patients on an acute care basis with recovery time often being on a same day basis. There is currently a long list of cataract operations pending but this is being tackled and laser surgery is being used on a regular basis for these interventions. Private hospitals such as St James in Sliema and Zabbar also offer eye laser surgery although this is on a case by case and low volume basis.

Eye Laser Surgery Key facts:

• Average cost of cataract intervention: EUR 1500;
• Recovery time after operation: Immediate to 1 day;
• Pain factor: Normally nil but could be slightly painful for more complex procedures.

As well as the facilities, spas offer a range of health and beauty treatments. You can expect the usual offerings of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing, but some facilities offer a wider range of therapies and specialist procedures and packages.

The best-known spa in Malta is The Fortina Spa Resort in Sliema, which is often host to a celebrity or two taking advantage of the discreet service and facilities. With a selection of four different spas to choose from at the resort, there are over 200 different therapies and beauty treatments on offer. Some of the more unusual remedies include colonic irrigation, laser hair removal and biofeedback, and there’s a wide selection of massages and facial treatments. There are also a number of spa package options which combine several treatments together for a real treat. The Spa Sante at the Fortina is equipped with 6 Experience Showers, a Finnish Sauna, a Mediterranean Sauna, Ice Fountain, Relaxation area with Tepidarium, Reflexology Basin, Aqua Meditation room, Pedijets, Kneipp walk, Roman Laconium and a Steam & Flower room.

In nearby St. Julians, The Hilton, The Meridien, The Intercontinental, The Radisson and The Corinthia hotels all have spa and fitness facilities and provide an assortment of massages, body wraps, specialized facials, reflexology and hydro baths.

Further north, the larger hotels in Mellieha and Bugibba/Qawra, such as The Riu Seabank, The Maritim, The Ramla Bay Resort, The Riviera, The New Dolmen and The San Antonio all have health spa facilities and a whole array of therapies available.

Spa facilities at the hotels are generally available 7 days a week, even on public holidays. For prices, membership rates and a list of treatments, please contact each individual establishment. Bookings are required and cancellation fees may be charged for no-shows.

Customs employ advanced detection techniques with sniffer dogs at the airport, and prison terms are often handed out to offenders. In addition the police and the armed forces work together to intercept any trafficking by sea.

During 2007, an Egyptian national was sentenced to a 12 year custodial sentence and fined 15,000 Maltese Liri (about 35,000 Euros) for possession and dealing 14 kilograms of cannabis resin (hashish).

Use of the drug in Malta is fairly low when compared to the rest of Europe, with around 7/8% of the population indulging at least once in a lifetime. However, being a Mediterranean island with a warm climate, the country attracts a large number of tourists, especially in summer months, when there are a variety of concerts (Isle of MTV, for example), and outdoor events with top international DJs. Illicit drug use amongst young Maltese and tourists alike, is on the increase. The police have now established a major presence at these events, and the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) stage regular roadblocks on routes leading to and from these events.

Cannabis cultivation is not very common, even though the climate favours its growth, and this is probably due to the lengthy sentences handed down to those who grow the plants. Being caught with marijuana plants is a serious crime, similar to trafficking, and the penalties seem to be effective in stemming the activity, for both personal and commercial reasons.

Malta’s health care is provided for free (well not exactly for free, just from the tax payers money) by the state and over 80% of the Maltese population makes use of it.

Mater Dei is the main and largest hospital offered by the state. Its location right next to the University of Malta (which is also state run), aids in the fact that it is also the main teaching hospital on the island. Mater Dei hospital is spread over 250,000 sqm with a total of 7,156 rooms of which 6,700 are equipped with state of the art medical equipment. This includes 25 operating theatres and 906 patient beds.

Every patient in Mater Dei hospital has access to TV, Internet, radio and telephone from their own bed at a minor cost. Other facilities include a nurse call system (which is similar to an intercom system), and a CPR button, which is directly linked by a pager to the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation team.

Environmental considerations were taken in the planning and the construction of the hospital. Mater Dei hospital is in fact the first building in Malta with insulated external walls and high performance glass fitted into the windows. This reduces cooling costs during the summer months and heating costs during the winter months.

Other environmental considerations taken into consideration include; the collection of rainwater for irrigation, low flush toilets, recycling, the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants and many others.

Mater Dei Malta information

Tal-Qroqq, Msida
MSD 2090
Malta

Tel: 25 450000
Fax: 25454154
Email: mdh@gov.mt
Website: ehealth.gov.mt

General Visiting Hours:

Monday to Saturday

12:00pm – 12:30pm
03:45pm – 5:30pm
07:30pm – 8:00pm

Sundays & Public Holidays

10:00am – 11:30am
03:45pm – 5:30pm
07:30pm – 8:00pm

Exceptions to visiting hours at Mater Dei Hospital Malta:

Cardiac Medical Ward & CCU – All days 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm and 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
CICU – All days 10:30 am – 11:00 am and 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Disneyland – One parent can stay with the child at any time
Fairyland – Both parents can stay from 8 am to 8 pm
ITU - All days 10:30 am – 11:00 am and 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
NPICU – Parents can stay with their babies at any time, other relatives from: 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Obstetric Wards – Partners only 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, other visitors 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Plastic Surgery & Burns Unit – Monday to Saturday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Holidays 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Rainbow – Open visiting hours
Wonderland – Relatives may visit from 3.45 pm – 5.30 pm

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Blood Donation Centre G’Mangia – 2206 6201
Customer Care Office – 2545 4184
Emergency Ambulance – 112
Emergency Department – 2545 4030
Main Reception – 2545 4182
Medicines & Poisons Info Office – 2545 6504
Out-patient Appointment Office – 2545 4182
Pharmacy – 2545 6535
X-Ray Appointment Office – 2545 6700

What was unimaginable just a few decades ago is now possible through developments in medical technology, such as plastic surgery.

Improvements in safety procedures and reduction in prices is making this industry more and more popular everyday.

Whether you want to look younger, sculpt or enhance a part of your body without hurting your pocket, Malta is the destination for you! Cosmetic surgery in Malta costs around 60% less than in other European countries such as the UK.

One of the most popular cosmetic surgery clinics in Malta is Transforma, forming part of Saint James Hospital, which is Malta’s largest private Health Care Group. Transforma is solely dedicated to cosmetic and beauty treatments and is renowned for its years of medical and professional excellence. All their staff, including the board certified plastic surgeons, receive regular and up to date training. Constant research is also undertaken to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedures they perform. You can therefore rest assured that you are in safe hands, when undertaking a plastic surgery or any other cosmetic treatment.

Transforma operate with a philosophy of being the best in the cosmetic and beauty industry in Malta, with constant investment and introduction of innovative treatments to ensure that their clients receive a full service under one roof. They have also recently added much valued wet facilities, such as a jacuzzi, steam bath, indoor pool & sauna, to its lists of services when it opened Le Spa at the Maritim Antonin Hotel & Spa. The latter being a luxurious hotel in Mellieha (North of Malta).

Physical improvement is not Transforma’s only concern, but they also place great importance on body, mind and spirit well being. As a matter of fact, you will find stress relieving and relaxation touches with all of their services to ensure that their clients get what they want without enduring any stress.

Among the cosmetic services they offer one can find:

• Age spot removal
• Botox
• Breast implants and reduction
• Chemical peel
• Colonic hydrotherapy
• Derma fillers
• Face lift
• Hair transplant
• Laser hair removal
• Laser vision correction
• Liposculpture
• Liposuction
• Nose surgery
• Tattoo laser removal

For further information and price you can contact Transforma Malta on the following details:

The Cosmetic Clinic
Triq il-Hafur
Attard
Tel: (+356) 21 423838
Fax: (+356) 21 423839

Their beauty services are also available at:

Maritim Antonin Hotel & SPA
G Borg Olivier Street
Mellieha
Tel: (+356) 22 892770