| Healthcare in Gozo |
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A few years ago the World Health Organization ranked all the countries of the world according to their healthcare systems and Malta came in #5 (the United States is at #37) based on the quality and accessibility of its health care services. Gozo has a public general hospital and a private hospital that serves day cases. More extensive treatment is available in Malta, which is 25 minutes away by ferry, and urgent transport by helicopter is available 24 hours per day. Malta has a two-tiered system of healthcare, meaning that there are both private hospitals and doctors' offices as well as the government hospitals and clinics. Foreigners are able to avail themselves of either public or private healthcare, and permanent residents of Malta are entitled to free public care just like Maltese citizens. While there is a night and day difference in the atmosphere of the plush private facilities versus the spartan public ones, the care itself in government facilities is provided professionally and in accordance with Western medical standards. The private facilities are much prettier to look at and the speed with which you receive treatment will usually be better.Healthcare in general is much cheaper in Malta than it is in North America because of lower wages and dramatically fewer malpractice suits. While foreign patients who are not permanent residents are charged for services in government facilities the charges are relatively low (we were pleasantly surprised when we were asked to pay Lm3 for our son's dental cleaning and check-up at the Gozo General Hospital dental clinic). Many health insurance schemes offered by North American pension plans cover care obtained anywhere in the world, and this is the first avenue for healthcare coverage that one should explore. There are also a number of reasonably priced private insurance options for expatriates living in Gozo. Finally, it may be well worth it for some people to consider permanent residence, with its minimum annual income tax of Lm1,800, as it provides entitlement to free government healthcare. Proof of private medical insurance or the means to provide for your own medical care may be required by the immigration office as a condition of extending your temporary residence in Gozo. Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts) |
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