Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said his government was investing heavily to provide the best quality of life and care for the elderly in the country. There was heavy investment to improve services which would help the elderly and pensioners to continue living where they had been born, grew up and lived. It was always the Nationalist Party in government which had worked unceasingly to launch new services and initiatives for the elderly and pensioners in the country, the Prime Minister said. He referred particularly to the budget for this year, saying that for the first time the elderly had been given the full increase of e3.49 (Lm1.50) per week in their pensions. Service pensions had been improved and those who decided to continue working were now receiving their full pension. Mater Dei Hospital, Dr Gonzi said, was the best example of the best care service the government could give, particularly to the elderly. The government was also investing in rehabilitation services and the number of patients who could be cared for at Luqa will increase from 60 to 280. Cancer care was also being expanded and provided at Zammit Clapp Hospital. The elderly were also being given the ‘Pharmacy of Your Choice’ scheme, through which they would get a more efficient service in medicines distribution, Dr Gonzi said.

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