James Sciriha, CEO of CareMalta Group, highlights how a new era of care is transforming service delivery, with CareMalta Group leading the way through HILA (Home to Independence & Limitless Abilities). As the Group’s specialised arm, HILA provides a wide range of tailored services for persons with disabilities, including residential, respite, and day programmes.
As Malta’s leading care provider, CareMalta Group has spent over 32 years supporting older adults with dignity, professionalism, and compassion. Today, our services span across long-term care for older adults, dementia care, residential living for persons with disabilities, respite and mental health services. This broad experience gives us a clear view of how the country’s care needs are evolving and changing and where we must focus and act decisively.
The mission of HILA
One area which in our opinion stands out as a national challenge is that of specialized services for persons with disabilities and mental health. This is the mission of HILA, our subsidiary dedicated to empowering individuals with disability and supporting those persons undergoing some sort of mental health needs. And this is where we are now placing renewed strategic focus, without forgetting the ever-growing need for long-term care for older adults.
For too long, families navigating disability or mental health challenges have faced fragmented pathways and very limited options. HILA was created to change this reality and to offer more opportunities as well as to provide a holistic service approach for those who use any of our services.
Strengthening HILA’s services
Our vision is simple yet transformative, that to shift from a system that manages needs to one that unlocks the potential in each person. This means personalised, ability‑driven support, considering the well-being, the medical and care needs as well as the social needs. It means community integration rather than isolation. Our homes are purposely chosen and built in the centre of the community, making everything more accessible and within reach of our service users. This also means investing in highly specifically trained workforce capable of delivering this specialised, multidisciplinary care.
However, this transformation cannot happen in silos. Disability and mental health require collaboration between various stakeholders, from the government to NGOs, the communities and the relatives and service users themselves. As CareMalta Group, we are committed in building a more inclusive, person‑centred system.
In the months ahead, we will continue strengthening HILA’s services, introducing more specialised programmes, and enhancing the quality of life of our service users and their families. Our goal is very clear, to ensure that every person, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and purpose.
Care in Malta is changing. Through HILA, we intend not only to keep pace with that change, but to be the ones leading that change.