The Government will continue to strengthen assistance to patients, including by covering the full cost of cancer drugs
In a visit to Maltese patients receiving medical treatment in London, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that the Government is preparing to include the first ten drugs out of just over forty for cancer treatment in the formulary and thus provide them free of charge.
This is as part of a transitional change in which the Government will take on the burden of cancer drugs instead of the Malta Community Chest Fund and thus patients will be provided with treatment as a right, and not as charity. Until the change takes place, patients will still be assisted by the Malta Community Chest Fund.
In London, together with Angele Cuschieri and Rennie Zerafa of Puttinu Cares, Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia Abela reiterated Malta’s continued support for social causes such as the one promoted by this organisation that brings great benefit to Maltese society. The Prime Minister said that the important values embraced by the Maltese and Gozitan people, such as love and solidarity, are reflected in the immense work carried out by Puttinu Cares.
“We as a Government should bear the burden and not the people. Above all, we must continue to provide reassurance to the families and Puttinu Cares, who are living a challenging journey but in which this organisation shows unparalleled empathy with those who need a shoulder to cry on,” said Dr Abela.
Prime Minister Robert Abela was accompanied in London by Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela, who together delivered this message of encouragement to Maltese families.
The Prime Minister’s visit began at the Royal Marsden Hospital, which is considered one of the best oncology centres in the world. Welcomed by consultant Dr Francesca Sillito, Dr Abela was able to see the work that is done to provide specialised care to those who need it.
In a hospital ward, the Prime Minister and Dr Lydia Abela spent time with a Maltese patient who is currently receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden. Dr Abela, who is the first Maltese Prime Minister to visit Puttinu in London, also met with Maltese surgeon Matthew Schembri who works at the Royal Marsden Hospital where he specialises in robotics for the treatment of prostate cancer and researches the use of artificial intelligence to improve the patient’s life in their journey after diagnosis.
On behalf of the Maltese Government, the Prime Minister also presented a donation to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity which will go towards research investment to continue study projects, among others on early identification of the disease, personalised treatment and new treatments.
The visit continued at the Puttinu Cares apartments in Sutton. Here, Dr Robert Abela and his delegation spoke to people of different ages who are living in these places until they receive the necessary care. These families noted the great support they receive from Puttinu Cares. It was also pointed out how the aid provided by the Government means that in a moment of challenge, the costs related to the journey are covered not only of one person accompanying the patient, including children, but also of a second person.
From the Sutton apartments, the visit continued to the new Puttinu Cares property in central London, where apartments are being built for Maltese and Gozitan families closer to where patients receive medical treatment. It was said that this building, the result of donations from the Maltese people and aid from the Government, will be named after the late doctor Dr Victor Calvagna, who worked with a number of children and families affected by cancer.
Thanks to this building, which now has permits to build a new floor, around 80% of patients and relatives who need accommodation while they are in England to receive treatment will be accommodated. A situation that was completely different twenty years ago, as families and patients would have to think about where to stay with the costs that it entails. Currently, between sixty and ninety patients travel from Malta to England every month to receive treatment in hospitals in central London.
The Prime Minister’s visit ended with a visit to the Franciscan nuns in London who also dedicate their time and resources to offering heartfelt assistance, with services that facilitate the lives of Maltese families as they go through challenging moments. Meanwhile, the President of Puttinu Cares Angele Cuschieri thanked the Maltese and Gozitan people for the support they have always shown towards the organization that works with families, including children with cancer. She reiterated the appeal for help in a marathon that will be held on Good Friday.
Angele Cuschieri said that it is a wonderful thing that the country is there to help families going through a difficult period of illness and explained how the mission of Puttinu Cares cannot stop but must continue to be strengthened. This visit to London was coordinated with the participation of the High Commissioner of Malta to the United Kingdom, Professor Stephen Montefort.
Photo: OPM
