Momentum Calls for National Plan and Public-Private Partnerships as Dementia Cases Projected to Triple
Momentum extends its sincere condolences to the family of Charles Zammit, a retired police sergeant major who gave 35 years of dedicated service to the Maltese public. Mr Zammit’s recent passing after a prolonged stay at Mater Dei Hospital, while awaiting placement in a secure dementia ward, brings into focus the growing shortfall in specialised residential care across Malta. His family’s courage in speaking out has highlighted a challenge that will touch thousands of families in the years ahead.
The scale of this issue is set to grow drastically and rapidly. Research by dementia specialists Dr Anthony Scerri and Professor Charles Scerri identified an estimated 8,000 people living with dementia in Malta in 2021, projecting that figure to nearly triple to more than 21,500 by 2060. Acute general hospital wards are not equipped to act as long-term holding bays for individuals who require dedicated, secure residential environments, making a coherent national roadmap essential.
Momentum General Secretary Mark Camilleri Gambin stated:
“We need a serious plan that brings the public and private sectors together to meet this growing demand. The private sector already possesses substantial facilities across Malta that can be adapted, retrofitted, and accredited to provide high-standard, secure dementia care. By making a concerted effort to maximise the use of existing premises, we can deliver specialised beds quickly while avoiding fresh construction and keeping the environmental impact on our island to a minimum. A transparent, well-governed public-private partnership is the most sensible way to ease the strain on Mater Dei Hospital and ensure our elderly receive dignified and safe support.”
Momentum calls on the health authorities to conduct an immediate audit of existing residential care capacity in the private sector. Collaborative planning and the intelligent use of existing resources will ensure Malta is properly prepared for the demographic changes ahead.
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