The Arthritis and Rheumatism Association of Malta (ARAM) organised a national conference in Malta based on the EULAR ‘Time2Work’ campaign for 2019 which aims to raise more awareness on the importance of entering and staying in the place of work. The conference also discussed possible stumbling blocks with a view that these barriers will be discussed at the policy level to bring about the necessary improvements.
The aims of this campaign are to normalise work, to encourage persons suffering from RMD’s to seek employment and/or stay in employment, not to take on the sick role. The objectives include discussing what barriers interfere with peoples’ choice in work, working towards diminishing such barriers and above all, initiating a national discussion with the employers’ associations, unions and patients’ organizations on the best way forward.
One of the patients Roderick Agius recalled how 6 years go, he was diagnosed with Psoriasis, which then developed into Psoriatic Arthritis. He explained that pain in his hand joints, wrists, knees and shoulders is constant and does not go away. Furthermore, he added that the discomfort created by society is sometimes greater than the physical one. “I don’t want people to pity me. All I want is that society is not conditioned by my situation”. Mr Agius argued that workers who suffer from arthritis, like him, deserve better working conditions without the need for begging. He recalled how every morning he needs to climb up 28 high steps to reach his office where he works, notwithstanding the pain and fatigue.
Professor Andrew A. Borg DM(Manch.) MD DMed.Rehab(L) FRCP FACR CCT(UK)(Rheum.), Chairman Government Formulary List Advisory Committee
Head, Rheumatology Service, Mater Dei Hospital, crushed the myth that only elderly persons suffer from arthritis. He said that there is even a 3-month old baby that is being treated for Juvenile Arthritis. He stressed the importance that patients undergo early treatment so that they can live a normal life. However, Prof Borg said the main challenge is the high price of effective medicines.
The President of ARAM, Mary Vella, said that there are around 60,000 Maltese people that suffer from arthritis. She explained that arthritis consists of 200 different types, with the most common are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is the worst condition of them all. It is a life-long and a life-threatening condition and if not taken care of, can cause serious consequences to internal organs and complications by causing deformities and physical impairment.
The Vice-President of ARAM, Sina Bugeja, said that a survey conducted among patients showed that there are people who are trying to learn how to live with pain because they cannot afford treatment, with the average expense being €200 per month.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, thanked ARAM for its sterling work in contributing to raise more awareness about Arthritis in Malta. He said that ARAM serves as a bridge of information for the public in general and even for those patients of arthritis who are suffering in silence.
The national conference served as a platform for people that suffer from Arthritis and RMD’s to share their story publicly with the aim to break the barriers and raise more awareness about their difficulties in their daily routine especially at the place of work.
Present during the conference, the Vice-President of EULAR, Dieter Wiek, as well as trade unions that represent workers and employer and other groups from civil society including the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD).
Members of Parliament Maria Deguara, Stephen Spiteri and Silvio Grixti also shared their thoughts during the national conference. Maltese MEPS serving at the European Parliament namely Hon Alex Agius Saliba, Hon Miriam Dalli, Hon Roberta Metsola and Hon Alfred Sant sounded their thoughts recorded messages.