Malta is set to become a regional hub for bariatric surgery, with more than 1,000 Europeans expected to undergo the procedure at Saint James Hospital over the next two years under a new partnership with a leading French obesity specialist group.

This major collaboration with Obesity Care Clinic (OCC), a team of leading French bariatric surgeons, will position Saint James Hospital as its European base of operations and strengthen Malta’s reputation as a trusted medical travel destination.

Saint James Hospital CEO Jean Claude Muscat (pictured above) said demand for bariatric surgery was steadily increasing worldwide, with modern lifestyles — including chronic stress, poor work-life balance, sedentary habits, and unhealthy eating patterns — driving obesity rates even higher. 

“Recognising this growing health concern, the Maltese government has taken active steps to address obesity and provide accessible solutions to combat this national and global health challenge,” Mr Muscat said.

Through this partnership, Saint James Hospital will also be in a stronger position to support efforts to reduce national waiting lists, as we are already doing in other areas of specialisation.”

This collaboration is already showing results with 22 European patients having successfully undergone surgery, and a further 60 procedures booked for next year, following online consultations with OCC specialists. 

The initial focus has been on patients from the UK and France, where long waiting lists and rising demand have made Malta an increasingly attractive destination for bariatric treatment.

“In the near future, we plan to expand our reach to other European countries… In the longer term, our goal is for this partnership, represented by Malta, through OCC and Saint James, to be become recognised as the preferred destination for advanced bariatric surgery and weight loss interventions in Europe,” Mr Muscat added.

OCC is led by Dr Stéphane Henri Bach, alongside renowned surgeons Dr Thierry Manos and Dr Patrick Noel, the latter two being internationally respected bariatric surgerons for pioneering advances in several surgical techniques and procedures.

Under the agreement, OCC’s surgeons will be registered with the Medical Council of Malta and will perform procedures primarily at Saint James Hospital, Żejtun, home to the hospital’s bariatric centre.

Patients will benefit from a fully integrated service, including online consultations with OCC surgeons, nutritional guidance from dieticians, and post-operative follow-up care. Saint James Hospital’s team will also provide on-site support and patient coordination.

This collaboration will also see Malta co-host the World Obesity Congress in February, a three-day international conference expected to attract leading global experts to discuss the latest innovations in obesity management and care. 

“This partnership positions Saint James Hospital, and Malta, as a reference point for bariatric surgery in Europe. It underscores our commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety, and the highest standards of care… it also highlights Saint James Hospital’s ongoing efforts to raise healthcare standards in Malta and showcase the exceptional expertise available on our island,” Mr Muscat said.