Health Minister Joe Cassar was full of praise for support groups operating in the medical sector.

He said the assistance to patients by medical professionals is very important, but the support of families, friends and of patients suffering from the same condition is invaluable.

He was speaking at the launch of the Lumiere Support Group, which will be helping people suffering from different conditions of the blood, particularly those conditions which are terminal.

In today’s health care, Dr Cassar said, they do not refer only to what the experts and doctors say, and health policies should not be planned only on clinical or administrative information. Nowadays patients are involved more, particularly those bodies which truly represent patients.

The World Health Organisation recognised that treatment today should take more than one route. There is the medical diagnosis aspect, hospital treatment, and medicines. But complete care strikes a balance between the medical and professional service offered in hospitals, and the emotional support provided by voluntary organisations, especially the support groups, Dr Cassar said.