It is with pleasure that I address you at the opening of a conference that showcases the innumerable and vast research you carry out as health professionals.
I congratulate all those of you who will be presenting the findings of their research during this conference. I am truly proud of your tireless efforts to investigate the causes of diseases and, subsequently, their potential treatment, so that people may enjoy quality of life.
I am certain that the high level of care we have today is a direct result of your hard work, and your endless quest for more insight into the causes of illnesses that are either life-threatening or else cause so much suffering.
I would also like to commend the fact that you are focusing your research in the local context. Malta has long needed this approach, so that the care and treatment is based on scientific evidence provided by your research.
It is also important for scientific evidence to be based, within the environment and context, where people live, work and play. How else will we know what is affecting people’s health?
With this in mind, I believe more research needs to be carried out with regard to the effect of the physical environment in which we live.
Having just returned from an intensive three-day visit to UK hospitals, visiting Maltese patients and engaging in conversation with specialists, I would like to share a concern. At a children’s cancer hospital, I discussed the assumption that there is an overall increase in the prevalence of cancer, especially in children. I was made aware of this fact through the Malta Community Chest Fund. Unofficially, I was told by some UK specialists that they too notice an increase and are concerned.
Hence, this concern must urge us to know whether there are particular environmental causes of cancer, besides the genetic factors, that are affecting the Maltese population. Thereby, I believe, that our research needs to encompass the wider picture, in order to establish all the causes and effects.
We are already aware from several studies conducted abroad, that as many as two-thirds of all cancer cases are linked to environmental causes. According to data compiled by the European Environment Agency, published in Malta yesterday, air pollution caused 220 premature deaths in Malta in 2012 alone.
I wish that more studies are replicated within the context of our own environment, in order to ascertain what can be done within our own communities to reverse the trend in the incidence of cancer and other diseases. It is only then that evidence-based, holistic policies can be drafted and subsequently implemented.
On a similar note, studies are now showing that social determinants which also affect people’s health.
Profs Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London, and who was in Malta recently, found indications that social determinants have clear implications on people’s health.
Marmot conducted a qualitative study among employees of the public service in London, and found huge disparities in life expectancy and quality of health, between the high earners and those who earned a minimum pay, although all were working within the same organisation.
From my years of experience of working closely with people in poverty and social exclusion, I have come across the reality of unhealthy lifestyles resulting from poor social conditions.
That is the reason why I advocate, and truly wish, that more research be carried out in this regard. As health professionals, you are in constant contact with people within the communities where they live, so you too are in touch with the realities people experience. Carrying out research in this context would give us the scientific evidence to prove our assumptions.
I truly wish that everyone is aware that poverty, inequalities and social exclusion are a reality both globally and locally.
In my address at the United Nations General Summit some weeks ago, regarding the Sustainable Development Goals, I shared my vision for the future with fellow leaders.
Taking a closer look at the sustainable development goals proposed by the United Nations and agreed to by all nations, the focus was placed on poverty, inequalities and social exclusion, as the basis for a better, healthier and more productive life for all.
As you know, one of the agreed sustainable development goals is to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.
Malta fares well in many of the targets underlying this goal, as, for example, in maternal and child health, though we can never take the situation for granted.
There is still much to be done in other spheres, including lifestyle issues that directly impinge on the health of the people of Malta and Gozo. Again, I reiterate the need of further local research in this area.
The Presidency is also doing its utmost to provide support structures that complement the work done within the National Health Service and the private sector, through our national charity and collaboration with other non-governmental organisations.
In fact, earlier this year, I founded the National Cancer Platform, in an effort to bring together all non-governmental organisations working with cancer patients, and their families. The National Cancer Platform coordinates the efforts of its members in order to ensure a holistic and sustainable service, to cancer patients and their families.
Another area where the Presidency was involved is the supply of medicine to cure Hepatitis C. For the last ten years, the Malta Community Chest Fund supplied medicine to Hepatitis C patients.
With the newer, much more effective treatments available to cure Hepatitis C, the Presidency involved itself to negotiate the best prices for such treatment for Malta.
It is my great satisfaction to see that the Government has taken on board the supply of such treatment as part of our National Health Service, while also benefitting from a number of treatments, which the Presidency managed to procure for free, as part of the whole bargain.
Hence, I am pleased to say that through the Malta Community Chest Fund, we were a catalyst to bring about the best prices possible and also save 1.2 million Euros from taxpayers’ money.
Due to the contact that most of our medical professionals have with the Malta Community Chest Fund, I would like to inform you that earlier this year, the MCCF was established as a Foundation, in order to give further accountability and more value to the generosity of the Maltese.
The Foundation is now regulated by law, and will continue to provide financial and material assistance, as well as professional support, to people in need, in order to improve quality of life and care of individuals and society in general.
I must say a final word to all of you as medical professionals taking part in this conference.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to you, the many doctors, specialists, consultants and health care teams that provide such brilliant treatment and care to our dear patients.
May you continue to develop your professional expertise for the benefit of patients under your care, while treasuring the values we embrace as a nation. I thank you wholeheartedly for all you do to ensure the better health of our people.
I am so proud of you!
I wish you all a successful conference.