Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531651
11 EDITORIAL maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 JANUARY 2025 PALLIATIVE care is intended to provide patients with a terminal illness, a dignified life at their most vulnerable stage by treating pain, reduce suffering and providing psychological and emotional sup- port. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines palliative care as "an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threat- ening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other physical symptoms, together with psy- cho-social and spiritual problems". Palliative care is a crucial cog in the health care system because it embodies compassion towards patients and their loved ones. It is indeed, welcome that Hospice Malta, a philanthropic organisation, opened St Michael Hospice in Santa Venera last Sunday. The new facility housed in the former Adelaide Cini In- stitute will stand as "a beacon of quality care for those requiring palliative support", Bernadette Bonnici Kind, chairperson of Hospice Malta, said during the inauguration ceremony. Given Hospice Malta's positive track record, we have no doubt the complex, which also in- cludes a big garden, will be Malta's foremost pal- liative care facility. Indeed, in its mission statement Hospice Mal- ta argues that it is guided by the philosophy and principles of palliative care dictated by WHO. These principles include the provision of pal- liative care which is intended to "provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms". It also "affirms life and regards dying as a normal process" while neither hastening nor postponing death. Hospice Malta's principles also promote a "support system to help patients live as active- ly as possible until death". A support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and in their own bereavement is also offered. The palliative care offered also tries to manage distressing clinical complications. These are noble aims because they offer treat- ment and support at a juncture in life when hope is replaced with emotional pain for all involved; where the beauty of life is suddenly challenged by the realisation of an impending death and separation. It is good that the State supports Hospice Malta in its mission as a dedicated palliative care organ- isation that runs its own professional facilities. It is also important that the State strengthens palli- ative care within the public health service. Nonetheless, sustained investment in palliative care should not come at the exclusion of a ter- minal patient's choice to opt for assisted dying if it is their wish. Some people prefer to end their suffering at a moment of their choosing rather than continue living a life that ultimately reduces their inde- pendence. This leader believes that this prefer- ence should also be respected. Robust legislation should allow terminal pa- tients to decide for themselves if, when and how they want to go without pressure from friends, family and doctors. Government has an electoral mandate to intro- duce assisted dying and the first step later this year will be the publication of a White Paper. When interviewed by MaltaToday late last year, Reforms Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Butt- igieg said government was approaching the sub- ject with an open mind to elicit feedback, which will then inform the way forward. The ensuing debate should be conducted in a mature, non-partisan manner since assisted dy- ing is a very personal and sensitive topic with its own set of ethical concerns. This leader believes that providing the legis- lative framework that allows patients to make their own choice as to whether they want to con- tinue living with their debilitating illness is also an act of compassion. It takes away nothing from those who prefer to continue living until their natural death despite the pain they may be going through. And more importantly a legal frame- work that enables assisted dying should not be viewed as a substitute for sustained investment in palliative care. Dignity and compassion in death can take different forms maltatoday MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR: KURT SANSONE EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt ilisation" (alongside not one but two apparent Nazi-style salutes during the ceremony) leaves no doubt as to the na- ture of these aspirations. Now officially US president, Trump has outlined his radical vision for the country and the world. While there is no coherent strategy behind that vision, its aims are clear. Trump and his allies seek to build a new "gold- en age" for their particular ver- sion of America – an Amer- ica that is radical, aggressive and unforgiving. That Amer- ica might well be, as Trump claimed, "far more exceptional than ever before". While the new administration's efforts to radically reshape the immigration system and engage in mass deportations will inevitably be embroiled in chaos, this second administration has learned the lessons of the first.