Malta Must Take Care Of Sexual Health Of Its Growing Population, Says Momentum

Political party Momentum has called on the Government to address growing pressure on Malta’s public sexual health services, warning that the country’s expanding population has not been matched by sufficient investment in healthcare capacity.

The party’s statement follows reports of a significant rise in sexually transmitted infection (STI) notifications and increasing waiting times for routine screening.

According to Momentum, STI notifications increased from 262 in 2015 to 1,307 in 2025, representing almost a fivefold increase over a decade. Visits to genitourinary (GU) services also nearly doubled during the same period, rising from 3,969 in 2015 to 7,461 last year.

Momentum said the Government’s response to the increased demand had been too slow, noting that sexual health services were historically concentrated at the GU Clinic within Mater Dei Hospital.

While the Government began decentralising services through Health and Wellbeing Clinics in Mellieħa, Marsaxlokk and Victoria in 2023, the party said reported waiting times of up to nine weeks for routine screening indicate that services have not expanded quickly enough.

Natasha Azzopardi, executive member of Momentum, said the situation reflected wider challenges linked to Malta’s population growth model, arguing that increased demand for public services had not been adequately anticipated.

“Sexual health must be treated as a national health priority. If people who want to be tested are being told to wait weeks for an appointment, the system is not keeping pace with demand,” Azzopardi said.

Momentum is calling for a review of sexual health service capacity, expanded screening facilities, improved access to testing, and proper implementation of Malta’s National Sexual Health Strategy 2026-2030.

The party also stressed the importance of stronger sexual health education and prevention measures, including accessible information on STI prevention, testing, treatment and contraception.

It said public services must be designed to meet the needs of everyone living and working in Malta. Momentum argued that economic growth should be accompanied by investment in the public services required to support a growing population.

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