Healthcare System (Malta)
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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.
Most of Malta's health statistics are provided by the Directorate for Health Information and Research.
