Background and History

Malta is an archipelago made up of six islands in the middle of the Mediterranean.  It is a former British Colony and the smallest nation in the European Union.  It is located 57 miles south of the Italian island of Sicily.  Malta is a nation with over 7000 years of history.  This mythical country still has Medieval Dungeons, megaliths, Renaissance castles, and Baroque Palaces.  Narrow cobblestone streets run through the towns and some of the oldest man made structures in the world are scattered throughout the countryside.  Ggantija is the oldest known freestanding temple in the world.  St. Agatha’s and St. Paul’s underground catacombs are located here.  The largest canon is in the world is located in Fort Rinella on the island.  Malta is also home to many significant World War II sites, such as the Mgarr War Shelter and many British military buildings.  Valetta, the capital of Malta, is a World Heritage City.  The amount of history here is almost endless.

Besides all of the history, many visitors take advantage of the warm Mediterranean weather and beautiful coastlines.  The weather varies from mild to very hot year round.  The warm weather and beautiful water have made Malta a popular destination for water enthusiasts.  Sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, scuba diving, windsurfing, and yachting are all popular here.  You can rent equipment at many of the resorts on the island.

Education and Training

The World Health Report in 2000 ranked Malta the fifth best Healthcare system in the world so it is no wonder Malta is promoting their medical tourism.  Private hospitals usually have the top doctors and are held to higher standards than public hospitals.  Most of the top doctors have studied and trained in England, Ireland, Scotland and the U.S.  Most doctors are fluent in English, which is the second national language.

Maltese doctors undergo rigorous education and training.  Cosmetic Surgeons study medicine for 5 years as an undergraduate.  Then similarly to the UK system they undergo pre registration house officer jobs for two years.  After this doctors train in general surgery for 3 to 4 years and plastic surgery training is an additional 5 to 6 years.

Doctors are regulated by a few agencies.  The Maltese Medical Council regulates doctors and since joining the EU the Specialist Accreditation Committee (SAC) has been formed.  SAC registration is mandatory to practice in reconstructive, aesthetic and plastic surgeries.  The Association of Surgeons on Malta recommends which specialists the SAC accredits and makes sure high levels of surgery and ethics are maintained in Malta.

Medical Procedures

Procedures range from dental care to hair removal, from cosmetic surgery to complex cardiac procedures and all performed using the latest medical equipment.  Common procedures include:

• Orthopedic procedures include knee replacement, bilateral knee replacement, hip replacement and resurfacing.
• Cardiac procedures include angioplasty, angiography, open-heart surgery and angiography.
• Ophthalmic procedures include refractive procedures and suture less cataract surgery.
• Cosmetic surgeries include Rhinoplasty, face lifts, breast augmentation, liposuction, breast reduction, abdominoplasty, and many more cosmetic procedures.  Many cosmetic surgery centers have opened recently and are entirely dedicated to cosmetic needs.
• Wellness and Spa Centers are located in most 5 star resorts all over the island and take advantage of the Mediterranean climate to help patients recuperate.

 Pros

• Member of European Union and medical requirements meet or exceed European Standards
• Private hospitals offer 5-star resort amenities
• Waiting lists are almost non existent compared to the U.K. or U.S.
• Malta is centrally located and flights are within 3 to 4 hours from most European cities.
• Country is small and most hospitals are centrally located in cities.  Most places are within walking distance of hospitals.
• Malta is loaded with history and sites. 
• Naturally beautiful and climate is great to recuperate in.

 Cons

• Most medical treatments will cost more than in Asia.