Malta
Cancer Centers
Healthcare System
Malta's healthcare system is a mix of public and private sectors, with a tax-supported publicly funded National Health Service (NHS) providing universal coverage to citizens and legal residents. The entire system is centrally managed by the Ministry for Health.
Through the NHS, citizens and legal residents have access to free primary care, hospital care, and specialist care, as well as prescription drugs and some dental care. Private health insurance is also available for those who wish to have access to additional services or prefer to seek treatment outside of the public system. That being said, Malta has one of the highest out-of-pocket expenditures in the European Union, with 70% of primary care being performed by private general practitioners.
To access healthcare benefits, individuals must present their Maltese ID card or residence permit, and healthcare services are available to them free of charge.
Malta has a comprehensive electronic health records system that records patient data, medical histories, and treatment plans. The Malta Health Information System (MHIS) integrates claims data, registries, and electronic health records to provide a more efficient and effective healthcare service. The system is overseen by the Malta Information Technology Agency and is accessible to all healthcare professionals within the public sector.
Administrative or Claims Data
Registries
Database: DHIR National Cancer Register
Sponsor, manager or home institution: Directorate for Health Information and Research; Ministry for Health.
Primary purpose: The primary purpose of the cancer registry is to collect data on cancer diagnoses, provide surveillance to examine trends, and facilitate epidemiological research to uncover the causes of cancer and evaluate the effects of control measures.
Type of information:
Available type of information:
Source of Information: Clinical notification; Copy of histology and cytology report; Copy of autopsy report; Death certificates; New referrals to the Oncology department.
Data level: Patient level.
Available data level: National level.
Number of Records: About 1,200 cases per year.
Date Range: Unknown.
Available data range: 2007 to 2019.
Cancer Areas of Interest: All malignant neoplasms; All ‘in-situ’ neoplasms (including all levels of CIN); Some neoplasms of uncertain or unknown behaviour (eg: Myelodyplastic Syndrome); Certain benign tumours (mainly those arising in the CNS).
Open data access: Partially public information. Reports can be found here. Information on how to access the full database can be found here.
Information/Contact for data request: Contact information can be found here.
Database: DHRI National Mortality Register
Sponsor, manager or home institution: Directorate for Health Information and Research; Ministry for Health.
Primary purpose: To collect and store internationally recognized data on deaths occurring on the Islands of Malta and Gozo, analyze it, and provide information for health policies, epidemiological studies, research, parliament, media, and international organizations.
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Source of Information: Death certificates.
Data level: Patient level.
Available data level: National level.
Number of Records: Number of deaths each year available in the reports.
Date Range: 1872 onwards.
Available date range: 1998 to 2019.
Cancer Areas of Interest: Unknown.
Open data access: Partially public information. Reports can be found here. Information on how to access the full database can be found here.
Information/Contact for data request: Contact information can be found here.
Databases for Clinical Trials, Surveys and Biobanks
National Health Interview Survey 2002 (HIS 2002)
Sponsor, manager or home institution:
Primary purpose: To obtain valuable information regarding the nation's health, including the burden of illness and knowledge and behaviors related to health, that cannot be obtained from routinely collected information such as national registries.
Type of information: Information on Sociodemographic characteristics; Anthropometric measurements; Self perceived health; Mental Health; Chronic conditions and symptoms; Short term disability/Activity limitations; Long term disability; Tobacco use; Alcohol use; Diet Physical activity; Knowledge/attitudes about healthy lifestyles; Accidents; Hospitalisation; GP/Specialist/Dentist encounters; Consumption of medicines; Health promotion and disease prevention; Dental health; Health insurance and health expenditure; Quality of life.
Source of Information: Survey responses.
Data level: Patient level.
Available data level: National level.
Number of Records: 5510 respondents
Date Range: 2002.
Cancer Areas of Interest: Unknown.
Open data access: Information is partially publicly available. Publicly available information can be found here.
Information/Contact for data request:
