Soft opening for new private hospital in Qormi

A new private hospital is to open in Qormi within six months. St Thomas Hospital, in Valletta Road, had its soft opening this morning by Health Minister Joseph Cassar. The hospital, in which €5 million have been invested, is owned by Caring First, which belongs to former Labour MP, consultant Louis Buhagiar. It will serve as a bridge between primary health centres and Mater Dei, the developers said. It will have 13 outpatient clinics, two operating theatres and 30 beds for surgery. High-tech equipment at the hospital includes the most advanced CT scanner on the island. In his address, Dr Cassar said that he was very pleased that Dr Buhagiar felt that the situation in Malta was economically strong enough for him to make this investment. Dr Buhagiar said he decided to open his hospital in Qormi because it was the demographic centre of Malta.