Works are currently in progress at the Female General Ward of the Gozo General Hospital for a complete refurbishment of the ward. The works form part of a larger project that also includes the upgrading of the Male General Ward, works on which will start once the present works at the female ward are complete.

Upgrading works include the installation of bedhead trunking units, medical gases, vinyl sheeting and aluminium apertures as well as general works such as painting, plastering and electrical services.

Female patients have been temporarily transferred to a section of the Male General Ward until works in the Female General ward come to an end. The Male General Ward has been sectioned to ensure patients’ privacy. The whole project, which includes the investment of more than Lm100,000 is expected to be finalised towards the end of April 2007.

Various sections within the Gozo General Hospital have undergone modernisation works since 1999. Patient areas that were upgraded include the Paediatrics’ ward, the Male Elderly ward, the Emergency Department, the Out Patients Department, the Maternity ward and the Residenza Sant’Anna, while new sections were set up including the Renal Unit, the Isolation Unit, and the Gynaecology ward amongst others.

Other areas that underwent heavy upgrading works include one of the two Operating Theatres, the Laboratory, the Medical Records Department, the Doctors’ Quarters and the kitchen. Current modernisation works are also being carried out at the hospital’s Dining Room.

Referring to the current works in progress, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo said that the Ministry for Gozo gave top priority to the health service on Gozo and has striven towards improving the physical environment while aiming for improved medical service at the hospital for the ultimate benefit of the patient in Gozo.

Minister Debono spoke about the programme of upgrading works that the Ministry for Gozo embarked upon in 1999, giving priority to areas that needed attention and that were mostly frequented by patients. While a certain degree of embellishment works were also carried out at both the Male and Female General Wards in recent years, the Ministry for Gozo felt that a more intensive project should be carried out here, including the installation of more modern medical equipment.

Minister Debono said that Government’s plans for the health services in Gozo are set to continue with the Ministry for Gozo soon embarking on a very ambitious project, that will be launched in due time, to provide more quality medical services in Gozo.