Gozo should be at the heart of policy, Borg says as he outlines health and connectivity plans

Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg said Saturday that Gozo must no longer be treated as a peripheral concern but placed firmly at the centre of national policymaking, as he outlined a series of proposals targeting the island’s long-standing challenges in health, connectivity and social services.

Addressing a political activity in Għajnsielem, Borg argued that successive governments have failed to give Gozo the attention it deserves, insisting that a Nationalist administration would adopt a fundamentally different approach. He said his motivation is driven by the need to ensure that Gozitans are no longer considered an afterthought, but instead become a priority in the country’s development strategy.

Central to his proposals is a commitment to build a new general hospital for Gozo, equipped with modern technology and a helipad. Borg noted that Gozitans have been promised a new hospital for over a decade without delivery, and pledged that work on the project would begin from his first day in office if elected Prime Minister. He framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to restore trust in public healthcare services and to guarantee peace of mind for patients seeking care.

Borg said the Nationalist Party has drawn up 110 proposals specifically for Gozo, with healthcare forming a key pillar. Among these is the extension of opening hours at the Rabat health centre to operate on a 24-hour basis, a move he said would improve accessibility and reduce pressure on other services.

Connectivity was another major theme in his address. While acknowledging the introduction of the fast ferry service, Borg argued that more needs to be done to strengthen links between Gozo and Malta. He proposed the addition of two new vessels-one dedicated to passengers and another to cargo-to improve both mobility and economic activity. He also stressed that the Mġarr port would need to be expanded to accommodate increased maritime traffic resulting from a larger fleet.

The PN leader contrasted what he described as past Nationalist investment in infrastructure with what he criticised as wasteful expenditure under the current administration, referring in particular to spending on the vessel Nikolaus. He maintained that a more strategic approach is required to ensure long-term sustainability in the transport sector.

Beyond health and transport, Borg touched on education and culture, announcing plans for a €9 million fund to support Gozo’s two theatres. He presented this as part of a wider vision to strengthen cultural life on the island and create more opportunities for local communities.

 

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