Solitude is the pandemic of our country, Nationalist MP Ivan Bartolo said Monday.

Addressing the media, Bartolo said that "we must take care of each other all year long not just at Christmas time."

A study by the Faculty of Social Wellbeing carried out a few years ago indicated that there are around 200,000 people who feel lonely, with the majority of them elderly people.

"This alarms us as the PN," Bartolo said. He explained that nowadays, "at 50, a woman becomes a grandmother, and must choose between caring for her grandchildren or her parents," with the choice often falling on children while elderly people are sent to homes for senior citizens.

"We must deal with this challenge from the root since mental health services are also funded by taxpayers and the government must walk the talk."

He suggested a Cabinet minister dedicated to tackling the problem of solitude as was adopted in the U.K under former Prime Minister Theresa May. He advocated more teleworking for those with chronic issues, and said that in the current economy those who are struggling financially and lonely cannot afford to look after a companion dog.

Another MP, Albert Buttigieg, said that whilst the PN appreciates that Christmas is a time of families coming together, "for others it's a difficult time for a variety of reasons; from socials issues to illness as well as third country nationals who feel out of place and are homesick". He highlighted that whilst the people celebrate they must also keep those going through a difficult time in mind.