Better access to cancer treatments must be top priority, PN says

At a press conference at the party headquarters, the Nationalist Party emphasised the need for the sharing of resources and knowledge among EU member states
 

Finding ways to give people more accesses to cancer treatment remains a priority for the Nationalist Party, MEP Francis Zammit Dimech said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters, Zammit Dimech said it was important for EU member states to share resources and knowledge with each other.

He called for cancer treatment strategies to be strengthened both in Malta and on a European level.

“While there is a lot of push within the community to find a cure, more needs to be done in terms of prevention. There needs to be a push towards a healthier lifestyle, to encourage people to eat better, to exercise more and to remain fit,” he said.

In April the PN unveiled its electoral manifesto on cancer, which included the sharing of information, the strengthening of cancer prevention through screening, more investment in cancer research, better accessibility to e-health, and increasing the supply of healthy food on the market.

The plans also include the setting up of a European strategy on improving methods of prevention, early diagnosis as well as investment in research and the exchange of information through the use of digital tools.

Opposition shadow Health Minister Stephen Spiteri said, that it was important to highlight that member states should be sharing information with each other.

“There are countries such as Germany, who are working tirelessly to create cures, to certain diseases, and as it stands Maltese people do not have access to those resources. It is important that member states are sharing this information with us.”

He added, that more Maltese needed to be encouraged to pursue a career in medicine, highlighting the work of multiple Maltese doctors in the field of cancer.  

PN MP David Stellini added that the Nationalist Party would continue to support projects such as Horizon 2020 - an EU Research and Innovation programme, with nearly €80 billion in funding. The project aims at finding new ways to prevent diseases, developing better diagnostics and more effective therapies, as well as taking up new models of care and new technologies promoting health and wellbeing.

Asked about a number of pro-life billboards that have been erected across the island, Stellini said insisted that the Nationalist Party wanted to “remind” the electorate that the European Socialists’ manifesto for the upcoming European Parliament elections, as well as that of the European Greens both approved of abortion.