Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/866589
43 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 AUGUST 2017 Nazzareno Vassallo, Chairman of Vassallo Group has recently presented the President of Malta, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca with a copy of Vision – Valuing the Past, Building the Future which Vassal- lo Group of Companies launched to mark its 70th anniversary. The book, produced and pub- lished by Kite, traces the Group's 70-year history from the Vassallo family's humble beginnings in Għajn Riħana and the clearing of World War II debris by the pre- sent chairman's father, Pio and his nephews, to the present day. The story of the group runs paral- lel with a detailed account of the political, social and economical changes in Malta throughout this period. Penned by Mr Vassallo with Dr Joe Cassar as editor, Vision goes into the detail of each sec- tor the group has been operating in mainly construction, care for the elderly, catering and hospital- ity and property management. The contribution of Mr Vassallo's children to each of these sectors is also highlighted in the publication which is enriched with attractive photographs taken purposely for this publication as well as oth- ers retrieved from the group's ar- chives. Vitals sets up Malta's first stroke rehab ward at Karin Grech Stroke affects around 700 patients a year across Malta and Gozo. Key to a successful outcome is immediate treatment and dedi- cated rehabilitation care. Immediate treatment is provided by Mater Dei Hospital, where in appropriate cases a stroke can potentially be avoided due to the innovative stroke retrieval treat- ment. On the other hand, the newly estab- lished stroke ward at Karin Grech Hospital comes as a response by VGH for continued care for stroke patients. "In Malta patients having suffered a stroke are admitted to Mater Dei Hospi- tal for acute care management. What the patient will then need is dedicated reha- bilitation care to start relearning some of the skills lost when suffering a stroke," ex- plained Karin Grech Hospital CEO Dr Ste- phen Zammit. Studies show how patients who receive specially designed stroke care in a special- ized unit are more likely to recover from the stroke and regain their independence. Rehabilitation helps stroke survivors re- learn skills lost when part of the brain is damaged. These can include basic move- ments like coordinating leg movements to walk or a complex activity like getting dressed. With a dedicated interdisciplinary team of professionals, a fully equipped gym and the latest medical innovative technologies, stroke patients in Malta now have a much better chance for positive results and out- comes. "Partners HealthCare International is playing a big role in all of this, having helped train some of our clinicians in Boston and visiting regularly to collaborate and share knowledge and experience. We're very proud of the work done in order for us to be able to launch this new dedicated service. Although the infrastructural improvement and the new equipment is instrumental to providing better care, what we are mostly proud of is the clinical approach taken to improve our patient offering." Randie M. Black-Schaffer, M.D., M.A., Medical Director, Stroke Program; Direc- tor, Stroke Research and Recovery Institute from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital explained, "In a dedicated stroke rehabili- tation unit, treatment is intensive. Stroke survivors also have the benefit of being in an environment where others are dealing with similar issues so there is a community of support." Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Mr Chris Fearne, visited patients at the ward and explained how this was a good example of how PPP projects can work in a way that the whole system benefits. "Stroke patients will now be transferred more ef- ficiently to Karin Grech Hospital, allow- ing Mater Dei to focus more on acute care, shortening waiting times and giving a bet- ter service to patients all round." Vassallo Group history in new publication Vassallo Group chairman Nazzareno Vassallo, presents a copy of the group's 70th anniversary publication to President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca HSBC Malta creating future business leaders with JAYE Malta Summer is a great time to relax and recharge, but it's also an ex- cellent chance for students to get work experience, and 13 promis- ing students are doing exactly that by using their holidays to work at HSBC Bank Malta and maximising their chances of fu- ture success. The programme comes as part of a growing partnership between HSBC and JAYE Malta and intro- duces the next generation of talent to the financial services industry and to HSBC. According to JAYE Malta, this is the largest intake of JAYE interns any business in Malta has ever ac- cepted. It is also a first for HSBC, which has previously supported JAYE Malta through financial sup- port. Martina Grech, one of the 13 interns, said of her experience: "I am thrilled to have been offered the internship with HSBC at the awards night. I couldn't wait to start learning from the best global bank, and receiving hands-on ex- perience from leading financial industry experts." HSBC's relationship with JAYE Malta in fact goes back 13 years. Between 2014 and 2016, the bank donated a total of €140,000 to the organisation. These funds have been pivotal in enabling at least 2,270 students to realise their true abilities and ambitions through JAYE Malta courses such as the StartUp Programme and the Com- pany Programme. "We are grateful for the strong relationship built over the years with HSBC Bank Malta and this year's summer internship is a sign of the forward looking mental- ity the bank has shown towards promoting and supporting youth entrepreneurship through JAYE Malta. We look forward to grow- ing this relationship and launching new programme cycles together in the future," said JAYE Malta CEO Julian Azzopardi. This support by the bank to broaden entrepreneurship educa- tion is already bearing fruit. The Malta winner of the 2017 'StartUp of the Year' award went on to win the JA Europe Enterprise Chal- lenge 2017 in Helsinki, putting Malta on the map of innovation and entrepreneurship. The stu- dents captured the imagination of the jury with their innovative safety system for motorcyclists. Meanwhile in Brussels, JAYE Malta's representative to the JA Europe Company of the Year Fi- nals, Flair, ended up winning the "Ready for Work" and "Lifechang- er" awards. HSBC Malta CEO Andrew Beane said: "Supporting JAYE Malta demonstrates HSBC Malta's com- mitment to empower entrepre- neurs to chart and own their eco- nomic success. Our partnership, whether it centres on financial contribution or hands-on work experience, is enabling youngsters to learn to lead and innovate when they enter the business world." Advancing Malta's global footprint On a courtesy visit to the Prime Min- ister, Joseph Muscat at his official residence in Valletta, journalist and Exante's Communication Director Patrick J O Brien (right) discussed Malta's financial growth as well as Exante's success within blockchain and Cryptocurrency as it enhances the Island's global footprint abroad within this technological sector. Health Minister Chris Fearne (centre) with staff at the stroke rehab ward