A National Health Park bringing together health with the enjoyment of our natural environment and cultural heritage

Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista Alex Borg unveils details of the National Health Park in Selmun

Fort Campbell to be enjoyed by the public while also helping address mental health challenges

New proposal: free regular physical and mental health screening for every worker

We have a new vision for the health of the Maltese and Gozitan people, built on prevention, a better lifestyle and effective rehabilitation – and not only on treatment when it may already be too late. And this will be delivered within a beautiful natural environment that will further support both physical and mental wellbeing.

During a press conference in Selmun, Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista Alex Borg elaborated further on the PN’s proposal for the creation of a National Health Park – a Centre for Lifestyle, Rehabilitation and Prevention – to be developed in Selmun as a modern and accessible facility for the public. This will bring together healthcare with the enjoyment of our natural surroundings and rich historical heritage.

Alex Borg explained how today Malta’s healthcare system is largely reactive, with many people seeking care only once their condition has already worsened. This is placing significant pressure on hospitals, particularly Mater Dei Hospital, leading to a system that is not sustainable in the long term.

He emphasised that Malta is facing serious public health realities – including high levels of obesity, rising diabetes, heart conditions and mental health challenges – all of which require a fundamental shift in how we approach healthcare.

“This Centre is a project through which we will improve people’s quality of life and promote a better lifestyle – a healthier way of living. A centre focused on mental health, prevention and rehabilitation,” stated Alex Borg.

The Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista said that this project will also incorporate the nearby Fort Campbell, which will become an integrated park. It will be restored and opened to the public for everyone to enjoy, while also serving a function in alleviating mental health challenges. This will include an ecological park, clear access to surrounding trails, mobility areas, and an interpretation centre recounting the history of the fort while preserving its identity. A holistic park for all to enjoy, reflecting the holistic vision of the Partit Nazzjonalista for healthcare.

This Park represents a concrete step towards strengthening health services and will include, among others, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, specialised rehabilitation, a rehabilitation gym, step-down care facilities, as well as public spaces such as walking trails, outdoor fitness zones and areas dedicated to mental wellbeing.

The project will form part of a national healthcare network including four hospitals and community-based services, with an estimated investment of €20 million for this Park.

The Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista Alex Borg also announced a new proposal whereby every worker in Malta will have the right to regular physical and mental health screening free of charge. Through this measure, the Partit Nazzjonalista aims to strengthen prevention, improve productivity and ensure a better quality of life for all workers.

Alex Borg said that the Partit Nazzjonalista has a strong track record in healthcare, unlike Labour, which in government has shown incompetence by making people wait 13 years for three hospitals that never materialised. He added that the Partit Nazzjonalista is committed to delivering a Fresh Start for the health of every Maltese and Gozitan.

Partit Nazzjonalista candidate Ray Gatt also addressed the press conference, stating that the PN is demonstrating a proactive approach to healthcare by investing more in prevention. This will reduce pressure on the acute healthcare system. He explained that the Park aims to promote active living by integrating physical activity more naturally into daily life, helping people maintain better physical and mental health. He referred to statistics showing that one in ten people in Malta suffer from diabetes, a condition often linked to obesity and thyroid issues. These are conditions that can benefit from a more active lifestyle, and this Park will help more people prevent or better manage such conditions. The National Health Park will offer not only a space that promotes healthier living but also a beautiful environment for all those who wish to enjoy this unique area of our country.

Candidate Norma Camilleri also addressed the press conference and said that the Partit Nazzjonalista is moving beyond treatment alone and focusing more on prevention. “This is the first line of defence in healthcare, and when we invest in healthier living and mental health care, we significantly reduce the risk of certain illnesses.” Norma Camilleri added that other illnesses which cannot be prevented require early diagnosis, and this centre will also support this. She said that the PN’s proposal for free regular physical and mental health screening will have a strong impact on people’s lives. Early diagnosis can save lives and improve quality of life. She also noted that the natural setting of the National Health Park will undoubtedly have a positive effect and deliver better health outcomes. She emphasised that this is not only an investment in infrastructure, but in people, in society, and ultimately also in the economy. We should not only live longer, but live better.

The Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista Alex Borg stated that he is committed to leading a government that prioritises both people’s health and the environment in which we live. He stressed that just as he wants to safeguard health through investment in prevention, he is equally committed to protecting our environment and cultural heritage so that it can be enjoyed by everyone.

01.05.2026