The Nationalist Party has unveiled plans for a €20 million National Health Park at Torri ta’ Selmun, alongside a proposal to grant all Maltese and Gozitan workers free regular mental and physical health screenings, as part of a broader shift towards prevention and rehabilitation in Malta’s healthcare system.
The announcement was made on Friday, Workers’ Day, during a press conference addressed by Alex Borg, alongside candidates Ray Gatt and Norma Camilleri.
Borg said the project would transform the former hotel site at Selmun into a centre focused not only on healthcare services but also on improving quality of life, arguing that Malta must move “beyond cure” and prioritise prevention.
He stressed that the initiative is intended to address growing health challenges in the country, pointing out that one in five people in Malta are obese, while 70 per cent of the population is either overweight or obese. He added that one in four people suffers from heart-related conditions, while a similar proportion faces mental health challenges, underlining the need for more proactive policies.
The proposed National Health Park will include a rehabilitation centre with 60 beds, primarily aimed at patients under 60 recovering from operations or injuries, as well as athletes. In addition, it will function as a lifestyle centre promoting healthier living and encouraging people to integrate physical activity into their daily routines. Services offered at the facility will be accessible to the general public, with a strong emphasis on prevention rather than solely treatment.
Gatt emphasised that the National Health Park is not intended to operate as a traditional hospital, but rather as a complementary facility designed to reduce pressure on existing healthcare services. He said the project would focus on promoting active living, rehabilitation and long-term wellbeing, while also evolving into an institute that can be used by the wider public. The surrounding environment will play a key role, with plans to make use of the natural landscape to encourage walking and outdoor activity.
Camilleri highlighted the importance of rehabilitation in achieving better health outcomes, noting that recovery depends not only on the quality of medical care but also on environmental factors such as natural light, reduced noise and access to open spaces. She said these elements should not be considered a luxury but an essential part of the recovery process. According to Camilleri, improved rehabilitation can help individuals return to work more quickly, benefiting both the individual and the economy, particularly in the case of workers recovering from illness or injury.
The plans also extend to nearby Fort Campbell, which the PN intends to restore and open to the public. The site would include mobility areas, an interpretation centre and green spaces aimed at supporting mental wellbeing and encouraging people to spend more time in nature.
In his address, Borg also announced that, under a PN proposal, every worker in Malta and Gozo would be entitled to regular mental and physical health screenings funded by the state. He said the measure is intended to improve early detection of health conditions while also supporting productivity and overall wellbeing.
Answering questions from journalists, Borg explained that the Selmun location was chosen deliberately instead of a more central site in order to avoid further real estate development and return the area to public use. He said the natural surroundings complement the aims of the project, particularly its focus on prevention, rehabilitation and wellbeing, and added that non-governmental organisations will be involved to ensure the site serves the wider community.
He confirmed that the project is expected to be completed within five years at an estimated cost of €20 million.
Borg also said the PN plans to expand nurse navigation services beyond oncology to all healthcare sectors to improve patient guidance and continuity of care. In addition, he outlined a proposal to introduce temporary tax incentives aimed at attracting Maltese professionals back to the country in an effort to address ongoing brain drain.
