The Health Sector in Gozo is indeed a priority for this government and this week we have had plenty of good news concerning Gozo’s health facilities. With an agreement being signed regarding an investment proposal worth €200 million, the health sector in Gozo will indeed be raised to a next level but what is most important about this agreement is that the government is keeping its promise of free healthcare all over the country. Such services will also help complement Mater Dei Hospital and make it possible for Gozitans to receive the vast majority of medical care in Gozo without having to go to Malta.

Education in the health sector is also very important for Gozo. From personal experience, I can say that, historically, it has been quite a problem. Some of my friends were even discouraged from continuing their studies for this reason. Since the government signed an agreement with the UK’s Queen Mary University of London for the opening of a medical campus on the site of Gozo Hospital, we no longer have such problems. This will, in turn, increase investment in Gozo as well as help produce a better economy. The campus will accommodate approximately 300 medical students and the investment will also help attract medical tourism on the part of those who are interested in further medical studies.

It was my wish to attend the signing event but I was abroad, attending the first Ministerial Conference on Global Action against Dementia, organised by the World Health Organisation in Geneva. In common with other developed and developing countries, Malta has an increasing elderly population and as a result the number of people with dementia will also increase significantly, reaching almost four per cent of the population by 2050. This will place an enormous burden on our health and social care systems – a challenge that Malta is committed to face and has already started facing.

We recognise the importance of having a national plan for caring for those suffering from dementia with the overarching aim of enhancing their quality of life and supporting their care-givers and family members, especially at community level. The title of the document is ‘Empowering Change’ which fits perfectly with what we are trying to do today.

This plan focuses on a number of measures and intervention streams and will be officially launched in the near future, together with a dementia-friendly version. This is a living document that encompasses a strong commitment on the part of all stakeholders to empower change and make a true difference in the lives of people with dementia and their families.

A fundamental aspect of our vision is that of increasing awareness and understanding in order to reduce stigma and misconceptions about dementia. People need the right information and guidance in order to recognise the early symptoms and seek the necessary support.

Awareness is also central in developing dementia-friendly communities in which individuals with dementia and their care-givers are welcomed to continue participating in daily life and being directly involved in the planning of services and policies that affect their welfare and well-being.

With this aim in mind, we have published a number of information booklets, including one aimed at school children and an easy-to-read version, with the aim of changing the negative perception of dementia, encouraging help-seeking and timely diagnosis and providing guidance on the availability of support services.

We have embarked on a nation-wide dementia training programme to develop an able multi-disciplinary workforce to ensure the provision of high-quality dementia care.

We are investing in assistive technology as emphasised during the European Summit held last week in Brussels and we are gradually transforming our care homes to make them dementia-friendly in conformity with the national minimum care standards that will also be officially launched shortly.

Malta is also committed to promoting the rights, dignity and autonomy of people with dementia and to this end we have introduced a body of laws to combat abuse and foster empowerment.

We commend the hard work and dedication on the part of a range of civil society organisations, both locally and worldwide – a collaboration that is important and continuous in our endeavours with regard to dementia.

 

 

Dr Caruana is the Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing