Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/306555
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 4 MAY 2014 10 News MATTHEW VELLA A survey of Mater Dei patients who had underwent an angioplasty and similar interventions due to heart disease, were failing to adhere to life- style changes such as kicking their smoking habit, eating better, and taking up exercise. Cardiology-registered nurse Justin Lee Mifsud, who presented the con- clusions of the 'Patient Adherence to Cardio-protective lifestyle Interven- tions' (PACI) study at London's St Mary's Hospital, described the find- ings of his survey as 'disappointing'. Of 193 patients he interviewed during 2012 and 2013 at Mater Dei Hospital, 31.6% of patients smoked cigarettes, while 30.6% were ad- hering to physical activities as per guidelines, 36.3% were consuming five fruits and vegetables per day, and 9.8% were consuming three por- tions of oily fish per week. "Total cardio-protective lifestyle adherence rate to all goals resulted in only 52.5%," Mifsud said. "A large proportion of Maltese patients with prevalent coronary heart disease do not achieve the lifestyle for second- ary prevention… there is still con- siderable potential to improve the standards of preventive cardiology to reduce the risk of coronary heart dis- ease events and mortality in Malta." In Malta, ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death, account for 21% of total mortality, with 319 male deaths and 328 female deaths in 2010, showing a decrease of 47 male deaths and an increase of 19 female Study finds Mater Dei patients who underwent angioplasty still unable to kick smoking habit, get fitter, or eat better Lack of knowledge hinders heart patients from eating well Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology Administration Building, MCAST Main Campus Corradino Hill, Paola PLA 9032 T: 2398 7100 F: 2398 7316 E: tenders@mcast.edu.mt www.mcast.edu.mt FLIMKIEN għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), the Ramblers' Association of Malta and Friends of the Earth, have urged political leaders to "stop paying lip service" in a bid to protect Malta's unique heritage sites. The NGOs this week welcomed news that the Prime Minister was considering action to block the con- struction of a two-storey building in the Ta' Hagrat buffer zone, by issu- ing an emergency conservation or- der of discontinuance notice. "Heritage authorities and the Mgarr local council also should re- alise that the shabby entrance to the Ta' Hagrat Temples is disgracefully unworthy of a UNESCO World Her- itage Site," the NGOs said. "The pro- posed building will further detract from the integrity of this World Heritage Site, as well as acting as a precedent leading to similar treat- ment within other buffer zones." A petition to the authorities and UNESCO, calling for the protection of Ta' Hagrat, has now exceeded 2,250 signatories. "Heritage is not only the core of our national pride, but is also a pre- cious economic resource that draws much-needed tourists to our shores. Destroying heritage in order to fill such sites with yet more apartments reveals a short-sighted pandering to the interests of a small interest group at the cost of Malta's long- term economic, environmental and social well-being," the NGO said. Last September, MEPA approved an application 'to remove existing structure and construct dwelling' in Triq San Pietru, Mgarr. A number of residents objected to the construc- tion of two-storey residences. On 6 September 2013, MEPA approved an application to erect semi-base- ment garages 15 apartments and 1 penthouse in Triq San Pietru, Mgarr. Residents objected to the construc- tion of two-storey residences. The controversial approval by MEPA of the 96-square-metre dwelling was 10 metres away from the Ta' Hagrat temples, and had the blessing of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. But the same body had initially objected to the development in March. The Superintendence not only objected to the construction due to its proximity to the World Heritage Site Ta' Hagrat, but went as far as calling on MEPA to revise develop- ment boundaries to safeguard the site. In a strongly worded objection issued on 8 March, the Superin- tendence objected to the "intensive development a few metres away from the Ta' Hagrat World Herit- age Site and well within the buffer zone of the monument". But after a meeting with Herit- age Malta and MEPA held in May, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage issued its clearance for the development, after plans were changed to address some of its concerns. In its letter, the Super- intendence still noted that the de- velopment will take place in an ar- cheologically sensitive area "located 10 metres away from the Ta' Hagrat temples". NGOs call for responsible protection of Malta's heritage