17 December 2006 Rating 16% No Comment  

The new Hyperbaric Unit was inaugurated yesterday morning at Gozo General Hospital by the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi. An area previously utilised as a Laundry, has now been converted to house the sophisticated equipment that will serve to provide emergency treatment to divers suffering from decompression sickness. Decompression sickness is experienced by divers when established procedures to control the varying underwater pressures are not followed. The recompression chamber creates pressures similar to those found under water and slowly diminishes pressure in a way to avoid serious complications. The availability of this facility makes Gozo a safer place to dive in, and therefore more attractive to divers, since this specialised emergency treatment is available in a matter of a few minutes. Decompression sickness can often be fatal for divers. The setting up and installation of a recompression chamber at the Gozo General Hospital follows the scuttling of the MV Karwela and the MV Cominoland in August, and the ongoing marketing campaign in foreign media, to continue strengthening the position of Gozo as a quality diving destination. These components, together with the Master Plan for diving and hospital staff training, form part of the Structural Funds for Malta 2004-2006 Niche Tourism Project for the Island of Gozo, involving an investment of �1.3m. In his address, the Prime Minister said that the inauguration of the hyperbaric unit is an element from a series of projects and initiatives that Government has embarked upon for the continuous development of the Maltese Islands and in particular, Gozo. The Niche Tourism for the Island of Gozo falls squarely within Government�s strategy for the development of Gozo as it seeks to upgrade the tourism product, in particular selected niches that strengthen the unique destination. At the same time, European Union funds are being invested in areas that should have a direct impact on the island�s economic development, while at the same time, improve facilities for locals. This is the case with the new hyperbaric unit, as the facility will also serve to provide medical treatment to patients, besides divers, at the Gozo General Hospital. Government is also committed towards continuing with the development of the health services in Gozo and has continuously invested in the upgrading of facilities and services on offer at the Gozo General Hospital. The Prime Minister also referred to Malta�s readiness towards the implementation of projects which will be funded by the European Union for the financial period 2007-2013. Dr Gonzi said that Malta is ready to go with projects to be co-financed under the next budgetary period, and that Malta�s submission was the first to be accepted from the 25 European Union countries. The Prime Minister also said that Gozo is once again being considered a priority in the Government�s programme � this time one out of five priorities. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo said that today�s occasion marks another significant step towards the improvement of the tourism product that the island of Gozo offers to its visitors. Government is heavily investing in the upgrading of the tourism infrastructure and facilities on offer in Gozo, and today�s occasion is a confirmation of the importance that it continually gives to Gozo, especially to the development of its economy. Minister Debono said the inauguration of today�s project is possible thanks to the continuous dialogue that the Ministry for Gozo has with the island�s stakeholders that together identified the niche area of diving as one with potential for more growth. Minister Debono also said that Government is committed in continuing with the upgrading programme and has directed European Union and national funds towards the improvement of tourism-related facilities in Gozo, including the setting up of the Tourism Training Facility in Qala, the Museum of Archaeology at the Citadel, and the upgrading of arterial roads leading to popular tourism attractions. More tourism-oriented projects will be carried out in the coming years, especially with another 10% of the European Union allocation of funds for Malta for 2007-2013 being once again allocated for Gozo. During yesterday�s ceremony, a documentary in English about the underwater and above-ground attractions of Gozo was launched as part of the project�s marketing campaign, and certificates were presented to Gozo General Hospital staff that undertook training to operate the new hyperbaric unit.