Mater Dei Hospital Achieves Record-Breaking Number of Surgeries in 2024 

Mater Dei Hospital has set a new record in 2024, performing an unprecedented 62,635 surgeries, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Earlier this month at the hospital, Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Hon. Dr. Jo Etienne Abela, met with surgical teams, including radiologists, cardiologists, anaesthetists, nurses, and radiographers, to acknowledge their dedication and discuss future improvements. 

Accompanied by the hospital’s administrative staff, Hon. Dr. Abela commended the healthcare professionals for their commitment to patient care. He also encouraged further collaboration with Primary Care providers, aiming to manage more conditions within the community. Digitalisation efforts, he noted, would play a crucial role in streamlining this process. 

Plans for Infrastructure Expansion and Surgical Advancements 

Discussions during the meeting also focused on the ongoing expansion of Mater Dei’s facilities. Hon. Dr. Abela highlighted projects to expand the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Radiology Department, Cardiology Department, and obstetrics services, including the Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (NPICU). The addition of new beds and operating theatres is also in progress, with collaboration from the private sector to enhance efficiency and reduce patient waiting times. 

To further improve surgical services, various suggestions were put forward, including the recruitment of specialists beyond retirement age, upgrading surgical equipment, expanding robotic surgery capabilities, and enhancing the Outpatients Department’s appointment system. 

Dr. Dylan Attard, Co-founder and CEO of MedTech World, and a former surgeon, shared his thoughts on this milestone. “As someone who has worked in operating theatres, I understand firsthand the level of precision, skill, and dedication it takes to achieve these results. Surpassing 62,000 surgeries in a year is a remarkable reflection to the resilience and expertise of Malta’s medical professionals. Continued investment in technology and workforce development will be essential to maintaining this momentum and ensuring the highest standards of patient care.” 

MedTech Malta: A Platform for Ongoing Dialogue 

Hon. Dr. Jo Etienne Abela’s engagement with Malta’s healthcare professionals extends beyond hospital settings. As a regular speaker at MedTech Malta events, he actively contributes to discussions on the future of healthcare, digital transformation, and innovative solutions in the medical field.  

During his keynote address at MedTech Malta 2024, he reflected on his personal experience highlighting the challenges of adopting digitalization and technology in healthcare, saying, “Changing is challenging, let alone for the people, for the patients, and for the citizenry that we are meant to serve. If it’s difficult for us to change, it’s difficult for our patients as well to change. Now, I am all for digitalization… I am all for technology. This is an all-government approach, but we need to make sure that by embracing digitalization, new technology, and deep machine learning, we do not run the risk of leaving any of our patients, any of our dependents behind.” 

His participation underscores the importance of fostering collaboration between policymakers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders to drive advancements in patient care. 

Also Read: Government Visionaries Lead the Way at MedTech Malta 2024

With record-breaking surgical performance and ambitious expansion plans, Mater Dei Hospital continues to play a crucial role in strengthening Malta’s healthcare system, ensuring better outcomes for patients now and in the years to come. 

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The momentum is building; are you ready to be part of it? If you haven’t secured your ticket yet, now’s the time! Join the visionaries and make valuable connections that could define your next big move. See you in Dubai!