PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR HEALTH Telemedicine Centre doctors provide 9,000 telephone medical consultations every month

Deputy Prime Minister Borg meets with the Centre’s staff in Siġġiewi

Every month, doctors at the Primary HealthCare Telemedicine Centre provide around 9,000 telephone medical consultations to members of the public who make use of this free service for medical advice and other non-emergency healthcare support.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg, visited the Primary HealthCare Telemedicine Centre in Siġġiewi, where he met the team operating the service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During the visit, officials from the Primary HealthCare Department explained that, this service, launched in 2020, enables members of the public to call on 21231231 or 21222444, or use other communication channels, including an online chat service through myhealth.gov.mt, to receive medical advice, symptom assessments, coordination of home visits by other Government medical services, appointments for healthcare services and consultations, as well as assistance in interpreting the results of recently completed medical tests. Where necessary, doctors at the Centre can also conduct consultations via video call using Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp.

The Centre receives up to 350 requests for medical consultations each day, averaging around 9,000 consultations every month. In approximately 70% of these consultations, callers receive the support they need to address their medical concerns without having to leave their homes to seek further services at health centres or other healthcare facilities.

In addition to medical consultations, the Centre's staff also respond to public enquiries about other Primary HealthCare services. Altogether, including medical consultations and general assistance, the Centre handles approximately 90,000 telephone calls every month.

Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg said that these figures demonstrate how continued investment and the dedication of Primary HealthCare staff are making healthcare services more accessible, convenient and efficient for the public. He noted that he had witnessed this first-hand during visits to a number of facilities operated by the Primary HealthCare Department, including health centres, community clinics and other services such as the Telemedicine Centre.

“We will continue supporting this Centre and its team of doctors, healthcare professionals and other workers so that they can assist even more people in the years ahead. Through their commitment and professionalism, they are providing invaluable support to thousands of people every month,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Primary HealthCare Department, Ing. Karl Farrugia, explained that the Telemedicine service continues to expand and evolve. “This Centre helps reduce pressure on our Health Centres while providing the public with easier, faster and more convenient access to healthcare. People can call to receive a medical consultation or be directed to the most appropriate service without the need to visit a healthcare facility in person,” he said.

The Telemedicine medical advice service is available on 21231231 and 21222444. However, in the event of a medical emergency, one should immediately call the national emergency number 112. Those who are unsure whether their situation constitutes an emergency may call 1400 for immediate guidance on the most appropriate course of action.