Imagine Dr. Maria, a young Maltese doctor, sitting in her London flat, poring over her finances. She’s specialising in cardiology at a top UK hospital, but her salary barely covers her rent and living expenses. Now, thanks to a new government initiative, Maria could soon see her financial burden eased. The Maltese government has announced it will foot the bill for the full salaries of Maltese doctors specialising in the UK.

The exodus of Maltese doctors to the UK has been a long-standing concern. With better pay and more specialisation opportunities, the UK has been an attractive option. But with the COVID-19 pandemic straining healthcare systems worldwide, the Maltese government has decided to sweeten the pot. By covering the full salaries of Maltese doctors in the UK, they hope to entice more specialists to return home.

“We’re not just trying to bring them back,” says Dr. Chris Fearne, Minister for Health. “We want them to stay and contribute to our healthcare system.”

The initiative, dubbed ‘Return to Serve’, will cover the full salaries of Maltese doctors specialising in the UK for up to three years. In return, they must commit to working in Malta’s public healthcare system for at least five years after their return.

Dr. Maria, for instance, could see her £35,000 salary fully covered by the Maltese government. Once she returns, she’d be expected to work in Malta’s public hospitals, bringing her UK-trained expertise back to the islands.

This initiative could have a significant impact on Malta’s healthcare system. With more specialists returning, waiting lists could decrease, and patients could benefit from enhanced medical expertise. Plus, with the government picking up the tab, doctors like Maria could afford to live comfortably in Malta – perhaps even in the trendy Msida neighbourhood, where many young professionals reside.

But it’s not just about the doctors. “We want to create a healthcare system that’s the envy of Europe,” says Dr. Fearne. “And that means attracting and retaining the best talent.”