Saint James Hospital has entered into agreement with Obesity Care Clinic (OCC), a collaboration of leading European bariatric surgeons, to attract a significant number of international patients seeking specialised weight-loss surgery in Malta.
The partnership is already active, and international patients are now travelling to Malta for a range of bariatric surgeries.
In an interview with WhosWho.mt, Dr Patrick Noel – one of OCC’s founding surgeons – shared insights into why Malta, and Saint James Hospital in particular, was selected as OCC’s European base, a project that is already drawing interest from patients across the continent.
“I personally wanted to set up operations in Malta, as it’s centrally located in the Mediterranean and offers excellent flight connections,” Dr Noel explains. “The island is also well known to many UK nationals, especially as a travel destination.”
After evaluating local healthcare options, OCC identified Saint James Hospital as the ideal partner. “The staff here is very professional and the facilities are well suited to our needs,” Dr Noel adds.
The partnership establishes Malta as a credible destination for bariatric surgery while supporting the country’s broader medical tourism ambitions. Early projections indicate that approximately 1,000 patients could undergo bariatric procedures in Malta within the first two years of operations.
OCC brings together some of Europe’s most respected names in bariatric surgery, including Dr Stéphane Henri Bach (CEO), Dr Thierry Manos and Dr Patrick Noel – surgeons internationally recognised for their work in minimally invasive weight-loss procedures.
Following extensive discussions between both teams, OCC’s surgeons are conducting operations primarily at Saint James Hospital Żejtun, home to the hospital’s specialised bariatric department. Procedures have already begun, with patients from several European countries now travelling to Malta for treatment.
Beyond weight loss, bariatric surgery can also help manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and arthritis. These procedures have grown increasingly popular in recent years, with the Sleeve Gastrectomy being one of the most common. This surgery removes about 80 per cent of the stomach, reducing food intake and altering appetite regulation to promote early fullness.
The Gastric Bypass, also very popular and first performed in 1967, creates a small stomach pouch connected directly to the small intestine, limiting both food volume and eating speed. A Mini-Gastric Bypass achieves a similar effect but requires only one connection to the intestine instead of two.
The B-Clamp is another minimally invasive option that divides the stomach into two sections, forming a small pouch that helps patients feel full sooner and eat less.
OCC provides a complete, patient-focused approach that includes online pre-surgery consultations, personalised nutrition plans and post-operative follow-ups. Saint James Hospital complements these services with its in-house dietitian team, ensuring a seamless continuum of care for international patients.
Looking ahead, Saint James Hospital and OCC are set to co-host the World Obesity Congress in Malta in February 2026 – a three-day international event expected to attract leading specialists, researchers, and sponsors, including Boston Scientific.
“The event will include live surgeries using the latest technologies and techniques, such as Magnetic Assisted Bariatric (MagDI) surgery and BariClip procedures,” Dr Noel says.
The partnership between Saint James Hospital and OCC highlights the potential of Malta’s healthcare infrastructure to support advanced medical services. Together, they aim to expand the country’s profile as a trusted destination for high-quality, specialised care within Europe’s medical tourism landscape.
