Hospital

The emergency phone number in Malta is 112.

Emergency care is provided free of charge to everyone, including EU and non-EU nationals without state health insurance. However, once non-EU nationals without access to state health insurance become non-emergent, hospitals require proof of insurance status, as well as payment for non-emergent treatments. Non-EU nationals should therefore purchase private health insurance for their duration of their stay in Malta (indeed, it is required for immigration purposes as well).

Emergency cases are seen at Mater Dei hospital, in Msida, Malta.

Other public hospitals in Malta include:

• Sir Paul Briffa Hospital (Floriana - oncology, palliative care, dermatology, and others)
• Mount Carmel Hospital (Attard - mental health, outpatient, among others)
• St Vincent de Paul Hospital (long term residence for the elderly)
• Gozo General Hospital (Gozo)
• Karin Grech Hospital (G'Mangia - rehabilitation, among others)
• St. James Hospital (Sliema)
• St. Philip's Hospital (Santa Venera)
• St. Mark's Health Clinic (Msida)
• Da Vinci Hospital (Birkirkara)

Pharmacy

Pharmacies are generally the first point of contact for non-emergency health concerns in Malta.

You can have prescriptions filled and purchase over the counter medications and vitamins at pharmacies in Malta. Disposable contact lenses and contraception are also available to purchase. Flu shots are administered at pharmacies for less than €20 per jab.

Pharmacists in Malta can recommend remedies for common complaints, and advise you when to see a physician. Pharmacies provide office space to physicians, who attend pharmacies during set hours each week. There is no need to register with a receptionist; patients are seen on a first come first serve basis. You can often see a doctor and have a prescription filled at the same pharmacy in less than an hour, for less than €20.

Over-the-counter medication goes by both generic and brand names in Malta, which may be different from those in your home country. To obtain the correct medication, describe your symptoms to your pharmacist. Prescription medication in Malta is fairly inexpensive compared to North America.

Pharmacies have limited opening hours, and are typically open 800hrs/8:00am to 1300hrs/1:30pm and 1530hrs/3:30pm to 1930hrs/7:30pm. Opening hours vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, therefore it is recommended to check with your local pharmacy for exact opening hours.

In Malta most shops are closed on Sundays, however, select pharmacies operate on Sundays from 830hrs/8:30am to 1200hrs/12:00pm on a rotating roster. This roster varies month to month and can be accessed on the Ministry of Health's web site here. A list of pharmacies open on Sunday is also published in local newspapers. The Miller pharmacy at the Malta International Airport is always open Monday to Sunday, from 730hrs/7:30am to 2200hrs/10:00pm.

There are few pharmacy chains in Malta. Most pharmacies are owner operated. Pharmacy listings can be found at http://www.malta.com/en/local-information/health-care/pharmacy.

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