The 62nd WHO conference that took place recently in our country was a confirmation that what is being done in the health sector in Malta is something that should make us all proud.
It was an honour for me personally, and for my ministry, to host this event.
The conference, which ran for a week, received excellent feedback. The comment made by Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO’s European Regional Director – that “there is not one thing, in the organisation, that was wrong… in fact there is not one thing that I think could have been done any better” – sums up the perfect debut for our country in its first attempt to organise such a large and important international conference. Malta proved to be a perfect host on all counts.
My sincere appreciation and thanks go to all those who were involved in organising the conference. These people, from entities in both the private and public sectors, made sure that the conference made it without a hitch. Their collective hard work and effort was impressive, and there is no doubt that the delegates who took part will remember their experience in Malta for a long time.
Let us all acknowledge and appreciate this.
Malta’s health care system received outstanding remarks and comments. Dr Chan, the Director of WHO, singled out Malta’s health care service as an example that other nations should follow. Echoing each other’s comments, the WHO directors praised the extent to which free access to very good health care services and health care professions is prevalent across all the population of Malta.
The WHO directors encouraged us and helped us acknowledge all that is so positive in our health care system. Of course, we all wish and hope for a more prompt delivery of indicated elective surgery, for faster access to radiological investigations, for less crowding in the emergency department, and for easier access to beds in residential homes. Our hearts and thoughts are with patients and families waiting for their requirements to be met. We will continue to do our best to address these needs as promptly and effectively as possible.
We have been reassured that we are on the right track in addressing these challenges. Now we must ensure that we remain focused on moving forward. The momentum to face these challenges has to be kept. Against a backdrop of worldwide financial and economic concerns, this is no easy matter and we are fully aware of this.
However, we have been reassured that the core indicators of a good health care system are all present in our system.
Our health sector has earned the praise of international leaders in the field. And we must continue doing our best to improve it. Despite the existent challenges, of which we are well aware, we are doing well. Our health care system is now also being admired and recommended as being exemplary. Let us take courage from this and move on towards an even better – and healthier – future.
The Health 2020 document, which was discussed and endorsed during the conference held in Malta, actually determines what will take place from now on in the health sector.
I have already explained that Health 2020, which I believe is a historic milestone for European health, mirrors the same approach taken by Malta in the last few years to address the crucial issues in any health system today. Health 2020 forcefully directs the development of inter-sectoral national strategies for non-communicable diseases, cancer and obesity, and a strategy for healthy ageing. We take pride in having these in place… already!
This was the cherry on the cake for our health care system.
Dr Cassar is Minister for Health