Malta

Malta’s National Health Service (NHS) provides practically universal coverage. All residents covered by social security legislation or a humanitarian exemption are entitled to access a comprehensive basket of publicly-provided health services. Health governance, regulation and financing are centralized under the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing. The Ministry is also the main provider of public health care services, with the private sector complementing provision, particularly for primary care and outpatient services.

The National Health Service (NHS) is tax-financed.  The health sector competes with other ministries for funds from the Government’s Consolidated Fund. Malta has among the highest out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure for health services in the European Union. High OOP spending is driven by spending on private primary and outpatient specialist services, mainly due to individuals opting for private care. 

Inpatient care is provided mainly by public hospitals, with primary and outpatient care delivered by both public and private providers. Long-term care for older people is delivered by the public and private sectors as well as by religious organizations. The private sector plays a key role in the delivery of primary care despite the existence of a state-run primary care system, with private general practitioners (GPs) accounting for 70% of primary care visits.