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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 DECEMBER 2024
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Revamped sexual health strategy
After 14 years, Malta's
Sexual Health Strategy
has been updated.
Laura Calleja reviews
the strategy and
highlights its key points
PROPOSALS from Malta's long-awaited
sexual health strategy, revealed last week,
include the free distribution of condoms
and the addition of emergency contra-
ception to the national formulary.
This marks the first update to the
country's sexual health strategy in over
14 years. For the last decade, Malta's
sexual health policies were based on
studies from 2010, which had already
been considered outdated by stakehold-
ers.
During the launch, Health Minister Jo
Etienne Abela emphasised the govern-
ment's commitment to promoting sex-
ual health in a progressive and inclusive
way, focusing on education, prevention,
and services that reflect the realities of
modern society.
"As we move forward, it is essential
to consider evolving social norms and
changing times, while ensuring our ef-
forts align with the legal framework of
our country," Abela said.
The strategy is now open for public
consultation before it is finalised.
MaltaToday has reviewed the Sexual
Health Strategy 2025-2030. These are
the key points:
Targeting vulnerable groups
1. Sex between men: The strategy in-
cludes targeted campaigns for Men who
have Sex with Men (MSM), promoting
prevention, early diagnosis, treatment,
condom use, and raising awareness of
PEP and PrEP, alongside a nationwide
free condom distribution scheme.
2. Sex workers: It also proposes the
creation of a multidisciplinary clinic
