Health Minister Ian Borg Discusses Healthcare Collaboration During Istanbul Visit

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg has discussed opportunities for further collaboration in healthcare and innovation during a visit to Istanbul, where he addressed the 12th edition of the Turkish Medical World Congress.

The visit followed an invitation from Turkish Minister for Health Prof. Dr Kemal Memişoğlu, with Dr Borg also holding a series of meetings with industry representatives to strengthen ties and explore potential areas of cooperation between Malta and Türkiye.

“This congress and the meetings held alongside it will help us expand our knowledge and contacts in a sector that is developing at a rapid pace. As we prepare and implement important healthcare projects in Malta, we want to continue exploring best practices and experiences from countries around the world that can help us provide better care to our patients,” Dr Borg said.

During his address, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the importance of international cooperation and sharing expertise between healthcare professionals, researchers, institutions and countries. He said advances in technology and medicine should lead to improved and more accessible care for patients.

The congress focused on key healthcare developments, including artificial intelligence, new diagnostic and treatment technologies, personalised medicine, clinical research, disease prevention, obesity, cancer care and advanced hospital systems.

The discussions come as Malta continues work on several healthcare projects, including the expansion of Mater Dei Hospital’s Emergency Department, other developments across healthcare facilities and the strengthening of digital health systems. The Maltese delegation also visited a leading hospital in Istanbul.

Dr Borg held his first official meeting with Minister Memişoğlu, while also continuing discussions with Turkish Deputy Minister for Health Dr Şuayip Birinci and the delegation that visited Malta last week.

Accompanied by Permanent Secretary Renzo DeGabriele and Malta’s Ambassador to Türkiye Dr Marisa Farrugia, Dr Borg also met with companies involved in healthcare facility development and digital healthcare solutions.

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