President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca made an appeal for the environment to be better safeguarded, especially since numerous studies both locally and internationally have found a link between the environment and health.
Speaking at the opening of the ‘We Can, I Can’ conference, organised by the National Cancer Platform for World Cancer Day, she said that protecting the environment is essential to reducing the instances of cancer and other illnesses in Malta.
“Let’s continue to work together, so that we can help every person who has dealt with this disease. For this reason I urge that together with the policy makers, healthcare professionals and civil society, we can improve the wellbeing of Maltese society..”
She added that the tools needed are in place to develop excellent healthcare services, such as laws, polices, dedicated healthcare professionals and nation-wide strategies.
“I have been informed that the National Cancer Action Plan are planning on gathering local genetic research in order to address the realities of our country, as well as develop specialised care.”
“The National Cancer Action Plan will also address prevention initiatives, continue to strengthen early detection services through screening and lastly plans to deliver comprehensive treatment.”
She gave special mention to the recent law which was approved in Parliament and drawn up by Nationalist MPs Robert Cutajar and Mario De Marco, which deals with healthy living at all stages of life.