Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544987
THE government recently is- sued its new Sexual Health Strategy for 2026 to 2030. Un- fortunately, naming this docu- ment a "strategy" is a stretch. It lacks any actionable timelines, and instead invests in empty and non-meaningful words. It reads more like an electoral manifesto than a strategy. It suggests pol- icies that have long been estab- lished, and proposes others that have been a promised a decade ago. It is a complete flop. For example, it emphasis- es the importance of the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vac- cination programme in adoles- cents to prevent cervical can- cer. This is a programme that has now been in place for many years. It also says that the gov- ernment will continue com- mitting itself to providing the regular PAP smear test screen- ing that is offered to women in Malta, a screening test that has also been available for many years. We suppose we should be thankful for that. This "strategy" document contains proposals on urology, gynaecology and genitourinary (GU) medicine, but very few on sexual and reproductive health itself. Indeed, it seems to confuse sexual and repro- ductive health rights (SRHR) with urology/GU/gynaecology medicine. We are given pro- posals about erectile dysfunc- tion (a urological condition), and none about sex education in schools and for adults. Family planning policies are only touched upon briefly by promising us access to free contraception, once again. This is a promise that was first introduced two elections ago, and again during the last election. Eight years on, the Maltese population remains without any free family plan- ning options. Despite several assurances by politicians, the morning-after pill is still not available in hospital. This is not right. No political party should make repeated unful- filled promises to attract votes. Intriguingly, the document returns to discussing men having sex with men (MSM) over and over again. There is nothing wrong with MSM, of course, but there are so many other kinds of sex that it makes one wonder what's going on. There are also numerous men- tions of the importance of limiting the spread of HIV, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). HIV is a serious infec- tion that thankfully, can be managed quite effectively with modern treatment. However, there are other equally, and perhaps more worrying, STIs that barely get a mention, like syphilis and Hepatitis C. There are other problems with our new Sexual Health Strategy. Last year, 667 peo- ple had an abortion illegally in Malta, one of whom bled so heavily that she needed to go to hospital, only to be reported by doctors. Yet, this document ig- nores the abortion reality com- pletely. It also ignores the sex- ual violence that many women routinely experience. It equally overlooks the poor and patchy service that many of our trans and non-binary patients, as well as those of other genders, tell us they receive at the Gen- der Clinic. Malta urgently needs an up- date of its approach towards sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR); one that must be based on consent, respect, and education. People must be giv- en the agency to decide if and when they want to be pregnant. They must possess the knowl- edge of how to take care of themselves, through thorough sex education, and they must have the tools to control when they get pregnant, through a variety of accessible and free contraceptive options. If con- traception fails, people must have access to abortion with- out fear of running into med- ical complications. At Doctors for Choice, we truly worry that it is only a matter of time be- fore a woman is too scared to go to hospital for fear of being reported and dies at home. People of all genders need ac- cess to dignified and respectful medical services appropriate to their needs. And finally, the patriarchal and misogynistic culture that infiltrates Maltese culture must be tackled ur- gently and definitively to put a stop to the widespread sexual violence in our society. We look forward to electing politicians who care enough for us and are ready to work hard for equitable reproductive healthcare. In the meantime, Doctors for Choice is ready to support all those who need our help. 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MAY 2026 OPINION Isabel Stabile & Natalie Psaila Stabile The new Sexual Health Strategy: A complete flop Activists for Doctors for Choice We look forward to electing politicians who care enough for us and are ready to work hard for equitable reproductive healthcare. In the meantime, Doctors for Choice is ready to support all those who need our help