Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1500676
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 JUNE 2023 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Need to recognise IBD as a disability MAY 19th – for some it is their birth- day, for many it is just a normal day. However, annually, on this date falls World IBD Day. Many are now asking, what is IBD? The abbreviation stands for Inflam- matory Bowel Disease. IBD groups mainly the two chronic illnesses Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Coli- tis, which directly affect the digestive system and cause intestinal tissue to become inflamed, from sores and bleed easily. In layman's terms, anywhere from the mouth to the anus, can be- come inflamed, which causes several symptoms, such as diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue and sometimes fever. Worldwide there are over 5 million people diagnosed with these chronic diseases, with higher numbers in the western world. So far there is no known cure for the disease, although many researchers work to find a cure. There is neither a known cause for the disease, which splits experts in the medical pro- fession to form the opinion that it is a mix between genetics and dietary hab- its. There is little public understanding of the pain and chronic suffering which IBD patients courageously cope with every day of their lives. Raising awareness about IBD is im- perative both for patients and others alike. The more the public is aware, the more understanding and support pa- tients will find from family, friend and even colleagues at work. For some, who experience severe flare-ups, it is hard for them to hold down a job, with little financial help, since the disease is not a recognized disability. Unfortunately, the Malta Association for Crohn's and Colitis (MACC) has for the past years since the COVID-19 pandemic refrained from holding face to face activities due to the vulnerability of their members. However, this year we are back to holding face-to-face events, with our 'Walk of Warriors' that was held in the morning on 21 May 2023, starting and finishing in front of Parliament Build- ings in Valletta. We would like to thank all those who have joined us for the walk, including Hon. Dr Katya De Gio- vanni and Hon. Perit Graziella Galea, as well as doctors who work within the field of IBD. We would also like to thank our sponsors who helped us make all this possible, AF Printworks, Alf Mizzi and Sons, BD Blinds, Border and Co, and BOV. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Tama Tnabbar who have accompanied us during this symbolic walk. On a European level this year, the European Federation of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFC- CA), have launched the campaign 'IBD has no age' thinking of patients of all ages from children to elderly, with fo- cus on the elderly community. This has been mirrored locally in Malta with the recent opening of the IBD Clinic at St Vincent De Paul, as part of several spe- cialized clinics that are offering a more dedicated approach to the needs of those residing there. Although we know there is always more that can be done, we are grateful of the progress done so far in the medical field, which allow most patients to live an almost 'normal' life. We hereby also hope that the gov- ernment to formally recognize IBD as the disability that it is, and recognizes the need for more inclusive treatment options for all IBD patients, especially those who unfortunately are current- ly paying thousands out of their own pockets to be to get by with their day- to-day life. Davinia Pirotta Malta Association of Crohn's and Colitis Well done Team Malta IT was a joy seeing Maltese athletes stepping onto the podium to receive their gold medals at the Games of the Small States of Europe. It is not very often that we get to see Maltese ath- letes shine but this crop of athletes has shown that with a lot of hard work suc- cess is possible. The hope is that Malta will one day also win a medal at the Olympics, some- thing that has eluded us so far. With greater investment in athletes, their coaches, sports organisations and facilities Malta can aspire to greater success Well done to the Team Malta athletes for making our country proud. Mark Caruana St Paul's Bay