Social conscience and solidarity have led the Labour Government to perform and deliver during its first four years in office. Besides being one of the top economic performers within the EU, we have also achieved the highest points in the social sector.
In line with budgetary measures over the past four years, the implementation of the current social measures for 2017 and the substantial additional funds entrusted to my Secretariat are proof enough of the government’s determination to sustain and enhance the services we provide in both the elderly and disability sectors. They reflect the social conscience – an essential characteristic of all Labour governments in history. It encourages me to strive harder in building, year after year, a fair society based on equality, equity and inclusivity.
Longest life expectancy
The World Health Organisation’s European Observatory Health Systems in Transition Report, published last week, shows “exceptional progress” in the health of the Maltese and Gozitans. Our people enjoy good health for an average 90 per cent of their life, longer than any other European country, and we also have a longer life expectancy than any other EU country. Continuous upgrades in the care for the elderly, together with consistently better health services during Labour’s first four years in office, are the major contributors to such positive results.
I recall that there was a degree of scepticism when the Labour Government moved care of the elderly from the health portfolio to that of the family and social solidarity. The move was intended to create a better and more realistic scenario for active ageing within the community without, however, in any way diminishing the indispensable support of health-related care. Both lines of services are – and always will be – mutually necessary in view of the normal medical issues related to old age and the continuing increase in life expectancy.
Taking a closer look at my portfolio, covering the elderly and disability sectors, I note how our work over the last couple of years has received international validation. Indeed, some months ago the European Union Active Ageing Index reported Malta registering an improved position for ‘independent, healthy and secure living’. Such statements are encouraging evaluations of Malta’s policy on active ageing.
A longer working life
We all know that, besides the traditional challenges at retirement age, people now face a different scenario around them with a variety of lifestyles and a never-ending change in family styles and units. Dealing with such adaptation challenges, retirees cannot expect that one size will fit all. Each individual has his or her particular needs and expectations that come with a different outlook on life.
In this context, I recall Eurostat figures published some months ago that were of particular interest to the Labour Government – and to me personally, as the one responsible for active ageing. By European standards, Malta saw the biggest increase in the average working life in the EU between 2005 and 2015. This shows a progressive development throughout a decade, but also shows that measures taken during the last four years have created additional work opportunities for people who would have otherwise no longer been part of the working population.
The National Policy and Strategy for Active Ageing had already addressed this subject two years ago and had detailed the action required to ensure an active and healthy lifestyle. Last week’s positive results from the European Observatory’s ‘Health Systems in Transition’ report are there for all to see, but while continuously monitoring the process, we also strive to enhance innovative measures as required.
Upgrading the elderly sector
Apart from pension increases, broadening the criteria of the carers’ pension and tax exemptions for older people, we remain committed to providing a high quality service in residential homes. We went to the extent of tabling a bill in Parliament for the setting up of an Authority to regulate these homes according to the minimum standards we established last year. The Parliamentary Secretariat I have the honour to lead is equally determined to ensure an unprecedented revamp of services within the community care sector, encouraging older people to remain enjoying their family ambience for which the state provides the required support.
It is very positive that within about 12 months since launching the live-in carer project, hundreds have shown keen interest in applying for it, with an encouraging number of families already benefiting from the scheme. The reformed ‘Meals on Wheels’ scheme will now offer a more varied menu, catering for specific health requirements and food hygiene safeguards, besides reducing waiting lists. The same applies to other home-care services, through attentive revisions of older practices and service criteria. We will also commit to an innovative community-based service that is ‘respite at home’ to enable care-givers to have a deserved rest.
For elderly care both within the community and in residential homes, over the past year we have continued to invest in more beds through further public-private partnership agreements. It is always a good opportunity for me to reiterate how we have invested heavily in refurbishing old people’s homes as well as in opening new learning centres for the elderly around both islands. The government is also broadening the scope of these centres and we are consulting with NGOs to revamp the learning and social purposes of such programmes.
The transformation of St Vincent de Paul
The long-term care facility at St Vincent de Paul can be considered our flagship in the care for the elderly sector. Not only have we invested heavily in extensive refurbishment and upgrades, but we have ensured the fairest administrative procedures. Among major projects, a pain-relief clinic, a vascular surgery clinic and a dental clinic have all been added to the facility's professional amenities, complemented by various other social initiatives. This is all supported by our hard-working staff, for whom we provide constant professional training which, apart from personal enrichment through university accreditation, guarantees service of the highest quality for our elderly clients.
The excellent results achieved at EU level have not come about by chance. The national policy and strategy for active ageing planned and implemented by the Labour Government over the past few years is undoubtedly bearing fruit. Eurostat’s statistics prove that Malta is now reaching very high placings in most economic and social sectors, not least our care for the elderly.
Ta’ Pinu Shrine
As part of our commitment to the disability sector, this week I have entered into a new partnership with Ta’ Pinu Shrine administration with respect to the deaf agenda. As a Secretariat, we are financing the hearing loop system through which these people can fully participate in services, with the rest of the congregation, when visiting the basilica.
An inspiring Bjorn Formosa
Friday’s event on the state broadcaster further exposed Bjorn Formosa’s challenge against ALS - a progressive neuro-degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, for which there is no cure or effective treatment. Bjorn himself set up the ALS Malta Foundation for research to help find a cure for the disease and invested money in equipment and therapy that would physically improve the life of those suffering from it.
It was indeed an emotional occasion on Friday to see Prime Minister Joseph Muscat directly communicating with Bjorn and extending the government’s tangible support for the Foundation, topping up the generosity of members of the public. In fact, in the last few days, as a Secretariat, we have been discussing a public social partnership to enable the sustainability of this home and the clear commitment of the government to include it as one of the pledged 10 community homes.
Rare diseases affect around 30 million people in the EU. They impact heavily on the sufferers, their families and carers, with patients often being undiagnosed due to a lack of scientific and/or medical knowledge. The fragmentation of knowledge about rare diseases is a huge challenge to mankind and we all welcome the European Commission’s initiative last week to set up reference networks for 900 medical teams to connect across Europe for the benefit of patients with rare diseases.
Special thanks also go to Mrs Michelle Muscat – the backbone of so many human solidarity initiatives – for her role in respect of the rare diseases agenda, which is not only remarkable but inspiring. Anyone who would like to join forces with Bjorn can help through www.alsmalta.org/donate or follow the Facebook page ‘ALS Malta’.