The Labour Party yesterday said it would ensure that all health centres would eventually be open around the clock - or at least have a 24-hour centre in every district - to alleviate pressure on staff at Mater Dei Hospital.

Acting Labour leader Charles Mangion told a news conference yesterday that the MLP was committed to this aim, though it would depend on which health centres were used most.

He said that although the Government had promised reform before the 1998 general election, many health centres around Malta closed at 5 p.m.

Dr Mangion said that even the Floriana and Gżira health centres, which until now were open 24 hours a day, would soon close after 5 p.m. However, the Government was quick to reply to this claim, and in a statement described it as a blatant lie.

When Mater Dei Hospital opened its doors, the Government said, there was a drastic increase in the number of people who resorted directly to the Emergency Department rather than the health centres.

It said the Primary Health Care Department was currently carrying out an assessment on how to tackle this situation by utilising the human resources available in the most effective manner.

Dr Mangion said that between 1999 and 2006, the Government reduced the amount of funds allocated to health centres from €349,406 (Lm150,000) to €58,234 (Lm25,000) - 80 per cent.

In the same time frame, the amount spent on the modernisation of health centres dropped by 85 per cent, from €256,231 (Lm110,000) to €37,270 (Lm16,000).