ABSTRACT
This policy brief examines the legal framework put in place by the European Union to foster voluntary cross-border collaboration in the field of public procurement of health technologies; it looks at recent experiences and developments in cross-border collaboration across Europe; and explores the challenges and opportunities that such cross-border collaboration presents. It was written to inform discussions under the Maltese EU Presidency in 2017.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Technology , Financing, Government , Group Purchasing , International Cooperation , Cooperative Behavior , EuropeABSTRACT
This analysis of the Maltese health system reviews the developments in its organization and governance, health financing, health-care provision, health reforms and health system performance. The health system in Malta consists of a public sector, which is free at the point of service and provides a comprehensive basket of health services for all its citizens, and a private sector, which accounts for a third of total health expenditure and provides the majority of primary care. Maltese citizens enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. Nevertheless, non-communicable diseases pose a major concern with obesity being increasingly prevalent among both adults and children. The health system faces important challenges including a steadily ageing population, which impacts the sustainability of public finances. Other supply constraints stem from financial and infrastructural limitations. Nonetheless, there exists a strong political commitment to ensure the provision of a healthcare system that is accessible, of high quality, safe and also sustainable. This calls for strategic investments to underpin a revision of existing processes whilst shifting the focus of care away from hospital into the community.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/methods , Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Delivery of Health Care/economics , Health Care Reform/economics , Health Care Reform/methods , Health Care Reform/organization & administration , Health Expenditures , Health Services/economics , Healthcare Financing , Humans , Malta , Quality of Health Care/economics , Quality of Health Care/organization & administrationABSTRACT
This analysis of the Maltese health system reviews the developments in its organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms and health system performance. The health system in Malta consists of a public sector, which is free at the point of service and provides a comprehensive basket of health services for all its citizens, and a private sector, which accounts for a third of total health expenditure and provides the majority of primary care. Maltese citizens enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. Nevertheless, noncommunicable diseases pose a major concern with obesity being increasingly prevalent among both adults and children. The health system faces important challenges including a steadily ageing population, which impacts the sustainability of public finances. Other supply constraints stem from financial and infrastructural limitations. Nonetheless, there exists a strong political commitment to ensure the provision of a health care system that is accessible, of high quality, safe and also sustainable. This calls for strategic investments to underpin a revision of existing processes whilst shifting the focus of care away from hospital into the community.
