The Malta College of Family Doctors encouraged the national authorities to prepare adequately for the new scholastic year.

School children have in the past two years experienced changes in the quality and quantity of teaching whilst diligently they wore masks, abided to their bubbles and kept socially distant from their larger group of friends, the college said in a statement.

This year, given that a substantial number of teenage school children are vaccinated, they deserve to have their educational opportunities increased. Whilst understanding the difficulty of the current COVID-19 situation, the MCFD said it sees it as opportune that a number, though not all, of the educational experiences of the years previous to the pandemic can be offered to vaccinated schoolchildren. These include educational experiences that enrich their extra-curricular portfolio and open them to possible career opportunities.

The MCFD said it has taken note of the media statements of family doctor Dr Jean Karl Soler and of a number of hospital-based colleges. The organization would like to clarify that Dr Jean Karl Soler was acting on his personal behalf whereas the MCFD has consistently encouraged citizens to follow the instructions and recommendations of the medical community spearheaded by the Superintendence of Public Health to control the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

On the other hand, it is disappointed that a scientific debate cannot be tolerated by some and condemns the disrespectful statements of a few posted on social media. The MCFD also applauded the substantial voluntary uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine that reflects the nationwide efforts, through public clinics and private family doctors, to vaccinate as many people as possible. The MCFD encourages those elderly who are not yet vaccinated to come forward as the vaccine is highly effective in this age group to prevent hospitalization and death.

The MCFD had published a 'Self-Care' guide about infuenza, common cold and COVID-19 for the general public. Self-care means treating mild illnesses at home, using rest, nutrition, and sometimes over-the-counter medicines. The documents can be viewed and downloaded at the links: https://mcfd.org.mt/generalpublic/selfcare

The Malta College of Family Doctors (MCFD) is a Voluntary Organisation (VO/0973) that strives to improve the academic and clinical performance of family doctors (known as “it-tobba tal-familja” or “general practitioners”) and the standards of primary health care in our country.