Lovin Malta

In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), a new radioactive injection treatment has reduced a 62-year-old Luton man’s aggressive brain tumour by half. Paul Read, who was diagnosed with recurrent glioblastoma last December, is the first patient in UCLH’s CITADEL-123 trial, which uses the drug ATT001 to directly target the tumour.

The Maltese government has finally set plans in motion to secure a fourth ferry for the Gozo Channel, aiming to provide a much-needed boost to the often-congested Malta-Gozo route. Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed this development while answering questions during a press conference on the national budget. He stated that the groundwork is now underway for a new tender that will eventually give Gozo Channel a fourth vessel

Since Malta’s online police reporting system went live in July, people have filed over 1,700 reports without stepping foot in a police station. According to new data shared in parliament, 1,796 reports were filed as of 22nd October – a solid average of 128 reports a week. Answering a question from Labour MP Davina Sammut Hili, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri explained that the platform was launched to make reporting crimes easier and more efficient.

Israel’s parliament has voted to ban the UN’s Palestine aid agency, UNRWA, from operating within Israel and its controlled territories. This means that this ban will effectively be halting services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Set to take effect in as little as 90 days, the ban strips access to crucial health, education, and aid services.

It's a topic which keeps on coming back time and time again, but after the discussion was sparked again on Lovin Malta's first episode of Ħaqalanqas and in light of last night's budget, what do you think?

The Electric Vehicle grant will decrease from €11,000 to €8,000, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced in this evening’s 2025 Budget speech. Caruana assured that those who have already bought the vehicle and signed for the grant will still be getting the initial €11,000 but subsequent applicants will benefit from the reduced amount.

29th October marks World Stroke Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about stroke, its symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, affecting millions of people every year. Despite the alarming statistics, many strokes can be prevented with lifestyle changes, and quick treatment can significantly improve outcomes. Understanding the warning signs and acting swiftly is crucial to saving lives.

€14 million will be invested in the country’s healthcare sector as part of the 2025 national budget, in a bid to decrease waiting lines across the system, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said adding that this is partly thanks to satisfactory economic growth that such measures have become possible. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced this measure in tonight’s speech alongside new initiatives within the sector of mental health that will cost the country €4.5 million. Among these initiatives is a pilot project launched for local councils willing to join aimed at combatting the stigma of mental health for those seeking help. The government will also be issuing tenders in the coming months to expand hospital emergency services, intensive care and acute psychiatric care. This is quite significant when comparing the 1.6% average growth within the EU. As Malta’s population has grown significantly and aged, so has the strain on the country’s infrastructure with the health sector being particularly impacted. In September, the Malta Medical Association criticised the lack of infrastructure translating to “unacceptable waiting times” after the inquiry into Stephen Mangion’s death. However, this issue has been persisting long before September with proposals to combat long waiting times, understaffing and lack of space included in the Labour Party’s 2022 manifesto. Stay tuned for more updates from the 2025 Budget speech. Do you think this investment will relieve some of the strain on Malta’s healthcare system?

Maltese women’s sanitary products will finally become tax-free, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced in this evening’s 2025 Budget speech where he outlined all the national investments for the upcoming year. Among the tax-free menstrual products like pads and tampons, female cancer patients will also benefit from subsidised products, such as bras for mascectomy patients. Despite a 2022 EU law that gave member states the green light to slash value-added tax on VAT on sanitary products, it has taken until now for Malta to introduce this measure. This seems to be the only reproductive health measure included in the budget as Caruana’s speech comes to an end. Earlier this year, the first menstrual products dispensers were introduced in three Church schools in Malta and Gozo, providing female students with free products in a bid to reduce stigma. Currently, the VAT on menstrual products stands at 18%, and slashing the VAT to zero was a government pledge made back in 2022 as part of a five-year strategy to mainstream gender equality.

Malta’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 will result in an extra €5.24 per week… and that will also apply pro-rata for student stipends. This was just announced by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, who also said the National Minimum Wage will increase by €8.24 per week, going up to €221.78 per week. Meanwhile, the minimum wage will continue to remain untaxed. What do you make of this?