Mr Galea used his time during the parliamentary adjournment to suggest that the mobile blood unit, as well as local councils and polyclinics, should be used to test people for this condition. He said that if one is diagnosed with the condition early in life, it will be easier for him or her to adapt the diet, the exercises and the pills which need to be taken.

Mr Galea said that if the condition is diagnosed early, it will prevent more problems when the child or the young adult grows older. He said 10 per cent of the Maltese population suffered from this condition and the health authorities needed to look at the prevention aspect rather than just the cure.

Taking a cue from the plans that parts of the Mater Dei Hospital are used by the university students for research, he also suggested that the students should conduct a study on diabetes and other conditions such as asthma in order to be able to help those who suffer from these conditions.

Mr Galea also spoke about the importance of educational campaigns in schools informing students about healthy lifestyles and healthy eating.

At the beginning of his speech, Mr Galea thanked the St Luke’s Hospital staff for their dedication and the special attention they gave to the young boy who was seriously injured when he was hit by falling rocks while he was walking on a pathway in the area between Gnejna Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay on 3 October.

He said the boy, who has been released from hospital last Saturday, has now returned home with his family to continue recovering from the serious injuries he sustained during the unfortunate incident.