Dermatology services in Malta
Patients with skin disease can be referred to the Dermatology Department at Mater Dei Hospital or Gozo General Hospital by any medical practicioner, usually their GP. They can also seek an appointment with dermatologists working in private hospitals, pharmacies or clinics around Malta and Gozo.
Dermatologists and the team at the Dermatology Department cater for inpatients and outpatients. Apart from patients with general dermatological conditions, subspecialty clinics are held in areas such as paediatric dermatology, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, organ transplantation, cutaneous allergy and oncology. Surgery is also performed for diagnostic and therepeutic purposes in a wide variety of conditions, both in the public and private sectors.
Medical practitioners in Malta need to be registered with the Malta Medical Council. Furthermore, those medical practitioners who have finished their training in their respective field are also be listed on the Specialists register. These registers are freely accessible on the Maltese Health Ministry website at the following address here.
Primary GU Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital
The main GU clinic is situated on the second floor of the Outpatient Department at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida. This clinic offers a comprehensive range of services, including:
- Diagnosis and Treatment of STIs: Comprehensive testing and management for various sexually transmitted infections.
- HIV Counseling and Testing: Confidential counseling sessions accompanied by HIV testing.
- Management of Other Genital Conditions: Treatment for genital issues that may not be sexually transmitted.
Patients are assigned a unique GU code to maintain confidentiality, and all services are provided free of charge to both Maltese residents and foreigners.
HIV Rapid Testing
The GU clinic offers a fourth-generation HIV rapid test capable of detecting HIV as early as six weeks post-exposure. This test requires a small blood sample obtained via a fingertip prick, with results available within 30 minutes. Notably, no appointment is necessary for this service; individuals can visit the clinic during operating hours for testing. In addition to HIV testing, patients are also counselled regarding HIV preventative measures like PrEP and PEPSE.
Expansion of GU Services
Recognizing the increasing demand for sexual health services, the Maltese health authorities have initiated the expansion of GU services beyond Mater Dei Hospital:
- Gozo General Hospital: In May 2021, a GU clinic was established at the Gozo General Hospital, operating on Friday afternoons on a fortnightly basis. This clinic provides services similar to those at Mater Dei, including STI testing, treatment, and HIV prevention counselling.
- Community Clinics: GU services are also being offered in community clinics located in Marsaxlokk, Mellieħa, and the Victoria Health Centre in Gozo. These clinics aim to enhance accessibility to sexual health services across the Maltese islands, alleviating pressure on central services and improving patient access. These clinics are manned by GPs who were trained by the GU specialists.
Private Sector Services
In addition to public services, private healthcare providers across the island offer GU services. Their clinics provide sexual health information, testing, and treatment for both male and female patients. Appointments can be scheduled through their website or by contacting their facilities directly.
Overall, GU services in Malta are committed to providing confidential, comprehensive, and accessible sexual health care to the population, with ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding and enhancing service delivery across the islands.
Kindly note that it is not within the remit of this website to provide details on dermatology or venereology clinics operating in the private sector. We also do not make recommendations on individual dermatologists or venereologists. Such enquiries will be ignored.