Nationalist MEP Francis Zammit Dimech called for more cooperation at EU level to ensure that more children that experience rare cancers are cured, and for screening and early detection to improve through exchange of robust scientific data.

Speaking during a Conference on Cancer held at the European Parliament, Zammit Dimech also spoke about the need to invest more in research and ensure that cancer survivors and their families continue to receive adequate support once they overcome cancer.

Over the past days, MEP Zammit Dimech launched a consultation process with local stake holders and organisations including Hospice Movement, Europa Donna Malta, Karl Vella Foundation, Alive Charity Foundation, Malta Health Network, and the Action For Breast Cancer Foundation. Zammit Dimech also visited the Rainbow Ward at the Oncology Centre with representatives from Puttinu Cares. During the conference in Brussels, Zammit Dimech was accompanied by Maria Gatt from Hospice Movement and Gertrude Abela from Europa Donna and presented the views raised by the various stakeholders he met.

Maria Gatt from Hospice Movement said that whereas the fight to eradicate cancer has to continue, when cure is not possible, there needs to be help and support through palliative and end of life care in very difficult moments for patients and their families. She referred to the new Palliative Care Hospital launched recently by Hospice Movement and the Church, and appealed to the public for generosity to offer patients palliative care with dignity.

Gertrude Abela from Europa Donna said that cancer patients receive a lot of support throughout the treatment journey, however survivors need more support. She said that organisation such as Europa Donna Malta was also working in this regard.  

During the conference, Zammit Dimech added that more investment in research and cooperation at EU level is needed in this regard if the ambitious target to eradicate cancer was to be reached. Last week, Zammit Dimech also met researchers from the University of Malta currently conducting research on cancer who explained that more funding was needed from the EU to invest in equipment and running of equipment to conduct research. Zammit Dimech explained how the EPP Group is pushing for cancer research to be doubled in the upcoming long-term budget for research.

Speaking during the conference, Prof. Dr. Angelika Eggert from the Department of Oncology in Berlin, said that specific research programmes are needed to conduct research on cancers of children. She added that there are few children across Europe that experience cancer and thus more EU cooperation was needed to overcome challenges including limited access to drugs.

Zammit Dimech also announced that he has joined the MEPs against Cancer Group and that cancer will remain a top priority throughout his work at the European Parliament. “I want to be the voice of Maltese patients and stakeholders and ensure that adequate policies are taken to support them,” added Zammit Dimech.