Hospice Malta was yesterday awarded the European Parliament's Citizen's Prize for 2014 in a ceremony hosted by the European Parliament Office at Dar l-Ewropa, Valletta. The organisation had been jointly nominated for this year's prize by all six Maltese MEPs.

Hospice Malta Chairperson Lora Cascun thanked the MEPs for their nomination and lauded the team that makes up the organisation. "The 'citizen' in this case is the management, our professional staff, all our voluntiers, and most of all the patients themselves as well their relatives who benefit from our services", she said. Cascun announced that Hospice Malta is currently seeking to expand the services it offers in order to support patients with different conditions.

Cascun said that Hospice Malta believes in the human life and in the dignity of the patient. "We firmly believe that everybody should have access to palliative care."

The Maltese MEPs decided to nominate this movement "to reward their noble efforts in providing care to so many patients and their families. Hospice values each one of them as unique individuals, irrespective of their race, religion or lifestyle".

All MEPs present at the ceremony showed their appreciation for the services Hospice Malta offers. "This is a prize for the respite and solidarity you provide to patients and relatives alike," said Therese Comodini Cachia whilst thanking all those involved in the organisation.

All six MEPs had agreed on a joint nomination for the Citizen's Prize. "In politics we can act together to being about positive outcomes. This award is only a token to show how proud we are of your contribution", said Miriam Dalli.

Roberta Metsola spoke about the importance of ensuring the patients' dignity and to provide them with a good quality of life until the very end. "Hospice does precisely this and more. It also has is own educational initiatives through courses in palliative care", she said.

Marlene Mizzi expressed her gratitude for the support Hospice offers in very difficult moments for patients and their relatives. "I am proud we can express this gratitude publicly. Do not thank us, we ought to thank you".

Volunteering has a strong tradition in Europe and goes back to its various forms, from the monasteries to the knights hospitallers, remarked Alfred Sant. "Today we speak of a lay and secular social model in which both individual and the state provide such welfare. Hospice has gone a step further by professionalising its services and combining that with volunteering", he concluded.