Minister for Health Chris Fearne, together with the Minister for Social Dialogue Helena Dalli and the Prime Minister's wife, Michelle Muscat, has launched a campaign for better awareness on rare illnesses and diseases.

Mrs Muscat, as President of the National Support Alliance for persons suffering from rare illnesses, said that during its first year, the group has worked to provide service for those who ask for help.

On an international level, the Alliance was one of the organisations participating in launching the United Nations Organisation for Rare Illnesses. During the launch, Minister Helena Dalli said that it was an honour for the government to be pushing the issue high on its agenda. She said that currently, there is an employee at the local Medicines Authority sitting for a doctorate in rare diseases. Dr Dalli said this will help the county in having better qualified individuals in the sector.

Minister Chris Fearne said that during the Maltese Presidency, the EU will be launching the European Reference Networks, specialised centres aimed at helping those suffering from rare diseases.