Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna visited the works at the Adelaide Cini Institute in St Venera, which was transferred by the Church to Hospice Malta to establish St Michael Hospice – the first complex in Malta which will provide comprehensive palliative care. Structural works on this Church-owned land that spreads over 11,600 square metres were completed in recent days and the project will now enter its next phase. This will include electrical works, paving, plastering, and the installation of lifts and all other equipment required for St Michael Hospice to be a first-class palliative care centre.
Archbishop Charles Scicluna expressed his gratitude for the works being carried out and noted the progress made to complete the project despite the challenges the pandemic brought about. The Archbishop said that the value of this project lies not only in the Church’s land and property, but in the fact that this complex will improve the quality of life and provide dignity to patients. Archbishop Scicluna referred to St Michael Hospice as a strong statement in favour of life.
The Archbishop was given a tour of the complex by the Chairperson of Hospice Malta Bernadette Bonnici Kind, Hospice CEO Kenneth Delia, architect Claude Borg, project coordinator Lora Cascun and project manager Jeandre Mallia.
St Michael Hospice complex, which will be run by Hospice Malta, is set to be completed in December next year. The ground floor will be dedicated to services for patients, and will include 16 individual rooms, all leading to the surrounding gardens allowing patients to easily access the outdoor area. This garden is considered to be an essential space for both patients and visitors, whilst providing clean air to St Venera.
Other services that will be offered by St Michael Hospice include day therapy and an outpatients unit, as well as a loaning facility of equipment that may be required by patients in the community. The upper floor will consist of counselling and training rooms, as well as offices for staff.
While the Archdiocese facilitated this dream shared by both the Church and Hospice Malta by donating land valued at €8 million, it is estimated that the St Michael Hospice project will cost €12.5 million. Hospice Malta is therefore appealing to the Maltese and Gozitan’s generosity in contributing to this project that grants dignity to patients and offers support to their relatives. Those wishing to give a donation or seek further information may visit hospicemalta.org.