Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/726681
8 JEANELLE MIFSUD OBESITY and structured cross- border co-operation will be Malta's main area of focus in the health sector during the coun- try's presidency of the Council of Europe, health minister Chris Fearne said. Addressing the World Health Organisation Regional Commit- tee for Europe, Fearne confirmed that the same health issues dis- cussed in the committee will be given priority during Malta's presidency, namely obesity, in particular childhood obesity, and structured cross-border co- operation, including access to specialised and innovative medi- cines. "The changing social, cultural, political, economic, demograph- ic and epidemiological realities render the task of addressing health issues in a holistic manner increasingly interesting," Fearne said. He added that non-communi- cable disease, emerging infec- tions and emergency prepared- ness remain concerns for the coming years. "We believe that to address these challenges we need to have strong and resilient health systems which are eas- ily accessible, equitable and fair. Keeping these systems sustain- able is a major concern, which we must address aggressively." "As an organisation, WHO Europe must also look at health equity across the continent, as well as actively engaging with all stakeholders, including patient representatives and the phar- maceutical industry. Malta will be addressing these exact issues during our EU presidency in the first six months of next year," Fearne said, adding that the ad- aptation and implementation of strategies and action plans at a national level are primarily a member state-driven initiative. However, the minister said, the achievement of national, region- al and global goals and targets still require a major input from the World Health Organisation. "Therefore, WHO needs to be geared to address such challeng- es as well as deal with the crises which hit us from time to time," he said, referring the WHO's reform which has been ongo- ing for six years and spans over three levels; a programmatic re- form to improve people's health, a governance reform to increase coherence in global health and a managerial reform in pursuit of organisational excellence. "With this in mind," Fearne continued, "we would like to see a steady rate of implementation of the reform process. This pro- cess must render the organisa- tion more transparent, account- able, efficient and effective in its role as the leading organisation in governance for health." maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2016 News IN ALL LEADING BOOK SHOPS HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN MALTA Malta to focus on obesity, cross-border co-operation during EU presidency Health minister Chris Fearne addressed the WHO Regional Committee for Europe PN vows to safeguard Sliema residents' interests THE fact that the Sliema local coun- cil – with a majority of Nationalist Party (PN) councillors – and the PN representative on the Planning Au- thority (PA) board had voted against the development of the Townsquare project in Sliema was proof of the PN's commitment to safeguard the interests of Sliema residents, the party claimed. This comes on the back of criti- cism from residents and civil society who deemed the PN's position in the run up to the PA's decision as meek. In a statement, the PN welcomed the decision by the Environment and Resources Authority to appeal the PA's decision to approve the con- struction of a 40-storey high-rise building in Sliema – traditionally considered a PN stronghold in local and general elections. The party said that even its rep- resentative on the ERA board had voted in favour of appealing the PA's decision. It was disappointing to note that the ERA had decided not to appeal the PA's decision to grant a permit for the development of another high-rise development in Mriehel, for which it said it had oth- er means with which to get its point across, the PN said. "We feel the ERA is abdicating its responsibilities when it chooses not to use the only tool at its disposal, especially since its chairman – Vic- tor Axiaq – had expressed serious doubt on the photomontages pre- sented to the PA." The PN said it would continue serving as the voice for Sliema resi- dents and all those who care about Malta's heritage. The PN welcomed the decision by the Environment and Resources Authority to appeal the Townsquare development in Sliema