Unfortunately, since the State showed it has no interest in investing in the community of the elderly, vulnerable persons, parents, and children of Valletta - we shall deliver absolute justice regarding this injustice that has been going on for several years to this day. This is yet another example of how Valletta was long planned not to be for its residents, intentionally abandoned for many years so it could be stamped as "a dead city, with no use for its residents except for tourism purposes".
This is the original proposal we have been presenting to Members of the State from 2011 to 2023.
Some of our members' proposals, before the party was formed, were precisely the various proposals and diverse projects for Evans Building. But unfortunately, not only were the requests ignored over the years by Council members (from both sides), but there was secrecy, lack of collaboration from District Members (from both sides), lack of action from the Health Minister (from both sides), lack of action from Governments and the Opposition from 2011 to the present day. This public property was emptied behind the people's own back, and there are rumours as well as announcements in a newspaper that it will fall under the private sector.
Regarding what happened, we requested information from the Valletta Local Council; we were left without an answer and without help, no entity signed up, nor did anyone spread our petition or request. Everything was kept secret.
This conduct is condemnable. Apart from being denied for the use of the Valletta community, there is also the aspect of total silence about how all of this happened behind the residents' backs... This alone is also food for thought! You end up reaching the conclusion of how little we Valletta residents are valued by those who are supposed to be there for our good and interests.
Our proposal for Evans Building was this:
Since Evans Building is located right next to the Sacra Infermeria, known as the Mediterranean Conference Centre... we were suggesting that instead of being transferred to the private sector, this building belonging to the public be considered as an Elderly Home or alternatively a 24/7 Polyclinic, or that a concept similar to St Vincent de Paul be replicated - an Elderly Home with the efficiency of an incorporated Clinic.
Access to this clinic is strategic. Easy for everyone to find, and also easy for its premises to house a substantial number of immediate medical assistance services.
The location is ideal in case children from the school get hurt/injured or suffer from a condition that could put them in a life or death situation (asthma, epilepsy, allergies, heart problems, AED use, etc.).
The ambulance could also serve to shorten waiting time for patients who have to wait for an ambulance from outside Valletta (from Mater Dei).
Through this message we appeal for the Evans Building to remain for the use of the Valletta community as it always was, and so it should always remain.
We accept that projects should be done, but we wish to express the lack of projects that bring dignity and care to us as Valletta residents. In many localities across Malta and Gozo, the State invests for residents, but Valletta is sidelined in this regard.
Layout:
With five drop-off parking spaces
With five stand-by parking spaces
With a garage for the local ambulance which is already on the side of the building.
Services:
Ambulance Services,
Oncology Unit, Ophthalmic,
Blood works & Warfarin, Cardiac Clinic,
Diabetes Clinic, I.B.S Unit,
Digital Imaging (X-Rays),
Down Syndrome Unit,
Electrocardiography (ECG),
Fibromyalgia Clinic,
GP Home Visits & Walk-ins with extended hours,
Gynecology,
Vaccination,
Mental Health Services,
Physiotherapy & Physical Activity Program,
Treatment room,
Alternative Medicine, Orthopedic,
Chiropractor,
POYC & Prescription Unit,
Plaster Unit,
Podiatry,
Oxygen Unit,
Follow Up / Review Clinic,
School Health Services, Scoliosis Clinic,
Emergency Unit,
Speech language Unit,
Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic,
Baby Clinic, Burns & Wound Unit,
A unit that could accommodate private veterinarians without rent, on the condition that they provide the cheapest prices for their services to ensure that even our animals are given affordable care.
While the lower/front part would serve for medical and emergency purposes, the upper/rear part could serve for other purposes such as:
01) Child Care Unit during the day, extended for parents who wish to do overtime as well as for parents who have a medical emergency during the day or afternoon, on the condition that they present an official document from the hospital/clinic after they are attended to.
02) The four offices that were opened in the Local Council are suggested to serve as a "Multi Service One Stop Shop" Centre for community use through the introduction of Micro-Units: for ID Cards, Arms, Enemalta, Public Registry, Counseling / Social Workers, Social Services, payment of all kinds of bills both governmental and non-governmental, a Voting Centre so that the Primary school is left without any disruption.
"Much is promised on tourism, with hospitality operators being promised a tax reduction equivalent to 30% of the expenses of a new investment or renovation to their accommodations and with regenerations to touristic areas such as Buġibba, Qawra, Xemxija, Valletta (Evans Building specifically), the Chalet area in Sliema, Paceville, and St. Julian's all on the cards."
"Development on the Evans Building site is presently regulated by the St Elmo and Environs Development Brief 2011, which allows the consideration of total redevelopment of this site. Nevertheless, a decision has been made to retain the external shell of the Evans Building while allowing interior modifications."
From 2011 to the present, Valletta has been under two different Governments/Oppositions. Neither of them wanted to guarantee us that Evans Building would be left and remain for the use of the Valletta community. Are we, the Valletta residents, valued by those who are supposed to be there for our good and interests?
