Malta launches medical drone tender linking Mater Dei and Gozo hospitals

A public tender has been launched for a medical drone service linking Mater Dei Hospital in Malta with Gozo General Hospital, in a move aimed at improving access to treatment for patients on the island of Gozo.

Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said the call for interest followed months of preparatory work by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer and Gozo General Hospital. The drone link is expected to regularly transport pharmaceutical and biological materials, reducing the need for Gozitan patients to travel to Malta for certain treatments.

The service will initially handle 11 types of medicines, including monoclonal antibodies, through what authorities describe as a secure and rapid delivery system. It coincides with an expansion of the Day Care Unit at Gozo General Hospital, which will increase capacity from six to 15 patients.

“This is a historic step for the health of Gozitans in Gozo itself,” Abela said, adding that more than €1 million would be invested over the next two years to improve comfort and quality of care.

In addition to medicines, the drones will be used for the swift transfer of blood samples, fluids and tissue, supporting faster diagnoses and better treatment outcomes. The network is also expected to connect other health entities, including St Vincent de Paul and the Ċensu Moran Centre.

Beyond healthcare, the drone capability is seen as having practical applications for public safety and other special operations, particularly where rapid, time-critical transport is essential.

The announcement follows a recent trial in which blood samples were flown between Żejtun and Sliema in under 10 minutes, less than half the usual journey time by road.

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) recently signed two new procurement contracts aimed at enhancing operational readiness across the Central Mediterranean.