How healthy are the Maltese?   

• Life expectancy in Malta has steadily increased over the past two decades and compares well with the European average.  Currently, the Maltese have one of the highest life expectancies in Europe.

 

• Circulatory diseases are the leading causes of death in Malta, accounting for 45% of all deaths in 2011 (The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO 2014). Mortality rates for circulatory diseases are decreasing (from 426 per 100 000 in 1990 to 232 per 100 000 in 2011), but are still higher than those of the European Union (161 per 100 000). 

 

• Mortality rates for cancers in Malta are also showing a downward trend and compare well with the EU-15.  National screening programmes are in place for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer.

 

• Diet-related health issues are among the most critical health concerns in Malta.  Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent among both adults and children, and diet-related (Type 2) diabetes levels are high among the Maltese.  In 2010, Malta had the highest obesity rates in the EU (WHO 2014).  Type 2 diabetes accounted for 3.4% of all deaths in 2011 (higher than the EU15 average).

 

Sources:

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO 2014.  Retrieved June 20, 2016, from

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/241849/HiT-Malta.pdf?ua=1   

World Health Organisation. Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2014.  Retrieved June 20, 2016, from

 http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/148114/1/9789241564854_eng.pdf?ua=1

 

• Maltese men and Maltese women have among the highest life expectancies in Europe.  In 2011 (Census 2011), life expectancy at birth was 78.4 years for men and 82.6 years for women.  This can be compared with 77.4 years for men and 83.2 for women in the EU as a whole.

 

• Similar to the rest of Europe, the trend is that the Maltese population is aging.  The average age of the Maltese increased from 38.5 years in 2005 to 40.5 years in 2011 (Malta Census 2011). Eurostat data for 2014 estimates the percentage of persons aged 65 years and over in Malta to be in the range of 18%, lower than the EU-28 average (18.5%) and 15^th in the EU-28 for percentage of persons aged 65 years and over.  Italy is estimated to have the highest percentage of persons aged 65 years and over in (21.4%); Ireland has the lowest estimated percentage of persons aged 65 years and over (12.6%).     

                                               

Sources:

Population aging and structure. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2016, from

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Population_structure_and_ageing

Malta Census 2011 – Valletta: National Statistics Office, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2016, from http://nso.gov.mt/en/publicatons/Publications_by_Unit/Documents/01_Methodology_and_Research/Census2011_FinalReport.pdf 

 

• A 2014 survey of the well-being of 8 to 12 year old Maltese boys and girls by Children’s Worlds (International Survey of Children’s Well-Being 2016) reveals that Maltese children generally have a stable and happy life, feel safe and happy at home, enjoy school, and feel quite cared for economically.  More than 75% of the Maltese children surveyed considered that their life was going well, that they are having a good life, and that excellent things are happening in their life.

 

• The 2014 survey reveals that Maltese children spend most of their time doing homework, watching TV, and using computers (reading for fun and sports and exercise are also quite popular), and that Maltese children are generally satisfied with their health, the way they look and their own bodies, and their self-confidence. 

 

• The lack of physical exercise, and a generally sedentary lifestyle, is however an increasing concern in respect of the health of Maltese children.  In 2011, 34% of Maltese children were classified as being overweight or obese (The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO 2014).

 

• Just over 25% of those surveyed in 2014 reported frequent physical or emotional bullying (and more than once in a month), with boys experiencing higher levels of physical bullying and girls experiencing higher levels of emotional bullying.

 

• The 2014 survey reveals that Maltese children generally like going to school, although girls are generally more satisfied than boys with their school experience and relationship with the teachers.  Maltese children spend a relatively low annual number of hours in school, but a significant number of particularly older children have private tuition, and homework is common even for younger children.

 

Sources:

Children’s Worlds International Survey of Children’s Well-Being 2016.  Retrieved June 20, 2016, from

http://isciweb.org/_Uploads/dbsAttachedFiles/KeyMessagesfromeachcountry_final.pdf

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO 2014.  Retrieved June 20, 2016, from

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/241849/HiT-Malta.pdf?ua=1   

 

• Maltese cuisine is an eclectic mix of Mediterranean cooking reflecting Malta’s history of visitors from around the region, but with strong Sicilian and North African influences.  Traditional food tends to be rustic and seasonally-based.
• Tourism, and visitors from around the World, have resulted in a contemporary cuisine reflecting more global influences. There is, in fact, a wide range of international restaurants across Malta and Gozo.  Food and drink products from around the World are also widely available in Maltese supermarkets. 

 

• Traditional Maltese dishes are still popular at home and with visitors.  There are many Maltese-themed eateries, and many other restaurants include classic Maltese dishes on their menus. 

 

• The size of the Maltese Islands limits the scope for large-scale wine production, but there is range of excellent Maltese-produced wines (including from two indigenous varieties of grape).  There is a legacy of beer brewing in Malta, including the very popular Cisk, and there is a growing interest in micro-brewing with some excellent craft beers coming onto the market.  There are also a number of beer festivals which are highlights on the summer events calendar.  Malta’s favourite soft drink is ‘Kinnie’, a blend of oranges and aromatic herbs.

 

Traditional Maltese Food
Rabbit Stew	Bragioli (beef olives)	Aljotta (fish soup)
Kapunata (Maltese version of ratatouille)	Gbejniet (sheep or goat's cheese)	Bigilla ( broad bean pate)
Galletti (Maltese crackers)	‘hobz biz-zejt' (bread with olive oil, tomatoes, tuna, onion, garlic, and capers)	(pastry parcels filled with savory ricotta or mushy peas)
Minestra (thick vegetable soup)	Ross fil-forn (baked rice)	Timpana (rich pasta baked in a pastry case)
kannoli (tube of crispy, fried pastry filled with ricotta)	Imqaret (date pastries)	Cassata (ricotta filled sponge with marzipan)
Figolli (almond stuffed pastry figures traditionally eaten at Easter)	Qagħaq tal-għasel (honey rings, traditionally eaten at Christmas)	Helwa tat-Tork (sweet sugary mixture of almonds)

 

• :
• https://www.visitmalta.com/en/food-and-drink

 

• There are a range of sports activities available in Malta and the Maltese climate affords the opportunity for enjoyment of an array of land and water-based outdoor sports. 

 

• Football (soccer) has historically been very popular in Malta.  There are quite a number of local football clubs, and the Malta Football Association runs both a men’s and women’s league, with 12 teams in the men’s premier league.  While the Maltese National Team is well supported, the Maltese have traditionally been supporters of both Italian and UK teams and there is intense rivalry between English and Italian supporters. 

 

• Other sports introduced to Malta by the British include rugby (there is a national rugby team) and cricket (although there is only one cricket pitch on the Islands).

 

• Horseracing has a long tradition in Malta; the popular bareback horse races that take place annually on 29^th June date back to the 15^th Century and the time of the Knights of Malta.  The Malta Racing Club runs the racing season from October to May, at the Marsa Sports Club.  For the most part the races are trotting races (the jockey rides a two-wheeled gig drawn by the horse). 

 

• Another common, traditional Maltese sport is the game of ‘Boċċi’ (similar to Bocce or Boules).  Boċċi clubs are common in towns and villages throughout Malta.

 

• Waterpolo and swimming are popular water sports.  The Aquatic Sports Association Malta runs waterpolo leagues for men and women in the many seawater venues along the coast.

 

• The Maltese Islands are known to have some of the best dive locations in the World.  Malta offers the opportunity to dive all year round, with coastal and boat diving opportunities suitable for divers of all abilities.  There are numerous diving schools, overseen by the Malta Professional Diving Schools Association.

 

• There are a number of Maltese sailing clubs, and regattas are held regularly between April and November.  The most prestigious race on the yachting calendar is the Rolex Middle Sea Race, established by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, and which ranks along with other classic off-shore races, such as the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race.

 

• The Malta Marathon is held annually, at the end of February, and attracts international participants from around the World.  The Malta Amateur Athletics Association also organises a road and cross-country races, and track and field events throughout the year.

 

:Malta Football Association. Retireved July, 20, 2016, from http://www.mfa.com.mt/en/home.htm

Aquatic Sports Association Malta. Retireved July, 20, 2016, from http://www.asaofmalta.org/

Maltaracingclub.com. Retireved July, 20, 2016, from http://www.maltaracingclub.com/

Malta Amateur Athletics Association.Retireved July, 20, 2016, from https://athleticsmalta.com/

Malta Professional Diving Schools Association.Retireved July, 21, 2016, from http://pdsa.org.mt/

 

 

• Although homosexuality was decriminalised in Malta in 1973, there was relatively little change in attitudes, or in LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans) until very recently.  The shift in attitudes and mainstreaming of LGBT issues has resulted in Malta coming top of the 2016 ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe Index (top score of 88%).

 

• Legislative changes have included amendment to the Criminal Code regulating hate crimes, extending the scope of the law to include sexual orientation and gender identity (and the extension of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality remit to include these grounds), amendment of the Civil Code allowing for the change in name and gender annotations in official documents of post-operative transgender persons, and the introduction of civil unions and same-sex adoptions (in 2014).

 

• There is a thriving gay community in Malta and a growing number of gay venues and gay-friendly hotels and other accommodation available.   The Malta Gay Pride Week is celebrated annually (usually in June). 

 

Sources:

Malta Gay Rights Movement http://maltagayrights.org

Gayguidemalta.com. Retrieved July 22, 2016, from http://gayguidemalta.com/
Malta Gay Rights Movement. Retrieved July 22, 2016, from http://maltagayrights.org/  

Visitmalta.com. Retrieved July 22, 2016, from https://www.visitmalta.com/en/gay-friendly-malta

 

Are special dietary opttions available in Malta?

 

• The rise in popularity for healthy eating and recognition of dietary-related intolerances and ailments has seen an increase in the availability of health and whole food products in Malta, as well as an increase in the number of health food outlets, juice bars, and restaurants catering for those with dietary preferences and special requirements. 
• It has always been relatively easy to eat vegetarian in Malta, since Maltese restaurants traditionally serve a range of non-meat pasta dishes, as well as pizza, and there are a number of vegetarian restaurants across Malta and Gozo.  The Vegetarian Society of Malta is a good source of information for vegetarians on where to buy vegetarian products and where to eat out. 
• An increasing number of restaurants and cafes serve vegan dishes, and there is a range of vegan products available in supermarkets and other outlets.  The Maltese vegan society (Vegan Malta) is a very good source of information for outlets selling and serving vegan food. 
• Most large supermarkets in Malta and Gozo carry a range of alternative food products, including gluten-free and lactose-free products.  Maltese restaurants are increasingly including menu choices to cater for special dietary requirements and are generally willing to prepare special dishes on request. 
• The Coeliac Association Malta is a good source of information on where to buy and eat for those with coeliac-related symptoms.  In Malta, medically diagnosed coeliacs receive benefits in the form of monthly vouchers from the Department of Health to purchase gluten-free products.

Sources:

Vegan Malta.  Retrieved July 23, 2016, from http://veganmalta.org/

Vegetarian Society of Malta.  Retrieved July 23, 2016, from https://www.facebook.com/The-Vegetarian-Society-of-Malta-1515904265355448/info/?entry_point=page_nav_about_item&tab=page_info

Coeliac Association Malta.  Retrieved July 23, 2016, from http://coeliacassociationmalta.org/

Health.gov.mt.  Retrieved July 25, 2016, from https://health.gov.mt/en/poyc/Pages/360%C2%B0-One-Stop-Shop-Service-Concept/Coeliac-Voucher-Scheme.aspx

 

• The World Health Organisation’s ‘Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health’ for 2014 revealed alcohol consumption in Malta to be lower than the European average.  Alcohol consumption in Malta has traditionally been low compared to the more northern European countries in particular. 

 

• There is however a growing trend for increasing alcohol consumption among young people.  In a 2011 survey of 15 and 16 year olds (European School Survey Project 2011), alcohol use was revealed to be high (86%) compared to the European Union (EU) average of 79%, and Malta ranked second in relation to ‘binge-drinking’ (56%), below Denmark - the EU average was 39%.   The age limit for drinking of alcohol in Malta is 17 years, although the Children’s Commissioner has recently proposed raising the age limit 18 years, in line with that in most other European countries.

 

Sources:

World Health Organisation.  Retrieved July 25, 2016, from http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/en/

 

 

• Tobacco use in Malta is falling, including among young people.  The European School Survey Project 2011 identified that smoking among Maltese 15 and 16 year olds is below the EU average - 22% in Malta compared to the EU average of 28%. 

 

• In Malta, smoking is prohibited in “any enclosed private or public premises which are open to the public, except in a designated smoking room”; this includes bars and pubs, cafés and restaurants, public transport, cinemas, and theatres.

 

• A 2013 survey on drugs use in Malta (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) identified an increase in the use of cannabis, where cannabis was revealed to be the most common type of drug used (predominantly experimental). Other common drugs included ecstasy, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, mephedrone, and any new psychoactive substance, with ecstasy being the most popular among this group of substances.  The survey also revealed drug use to be more prevalent in those aged 18 to 24 years. 

 

• The Maltese Government, supported by a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) runs a strong drugs prevention programme, including those targeted at schoolchildren; there is an Anti-Substance Abuse Unit within the Education Department.

 

Sources:

European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs.  Retrieved July 25, 2016, from http://www.espad.org/Uploads/ESPAD_reports/2011/The_2011_ESPAD_Report_SUMMARY.pdf

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.  Retrieved July 25, 2016, from http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/

 

ENVIRONMENT

• The scarcity of freshwater supply in Malta is a major environmental concern, given the Mediterranean climate and the long spells of hot, dry weather.  The only freshwater resource found in viable quantities in Malta is groundwater, and this resource is under increasing human pressure.  In 2011, nitrate levels exceeded the European Union (EU) limit value in 11 out of 15 of groundwater bodies, and the threshold value for chlorides was exceeded in 6 out of 8 perched groundwater bodies and in all coastal aquifers (Malta Resources Authority).
• Air pollution is one of the main environment-related health challenges in Malta, with poor air quality being linked to an increase in respiratory diseases.  The majority of air pollutants arise from traffic emissions (exhaust fumes). In a 2013, Eurobarometer Survey (Special Eurobarometer 406), respondents in Malta topped the poll in the EU-28 in identifying road congestion (97%) and air pollution (95%) as important environmental problems.
• Noise pollution is increasingly identified as a problem by the Maltese.  In the same 2013 Eurobarometer Survey, respondents in Malta again topped the poll (92%) in identifying noise pollution to be an important environmental problem.
• Urbanisation and the scarcity of rural land and green spaces presents a particular environmental challange.  Malta is one of the most densely populated counties in the world; in 2007, the United Nations determined approximately 95% of the land area of the Maltese Islands to constitute ‘urban area’ (World Urbanisation Prospects).  In a 2013 Eurobarometer Survey (Flash Eurobarometer 379, 2013), 93% of Maltese respondents replied that they considered increasing urbanisation to be a threat to the biodiversity of the Islands, and 68% of respondents considered urbanisation to be very much of a threat.

Malta Environment and Planning Authority.  The Environment Report: Indicators 2010-2011. Retrieved August 6, 2016, from http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/The-Environment-Report-Indicators-2010-2011.aspx

European Commission Special Eurobarometer 406: Attitudes of Europeans Towards Urban Mobility Report, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_406_en.pdf

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. World Urbanization Prospects: The 2007 Revision. Retrieved June 5, 2016, from http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wup2007/2007WUP_Highlights_web.pdf  

European Commission Flash Eurobarometer 379: Attitudes Towards Biodiversity, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_379_en.pdf  

 

• Malta is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (NFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, and the Country has taken various measures to address climate change at a national level. 
• In 2009, the Government adopted a ‘National Strategy for Policy and Abatement Measures Relating to the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases’ which contains mitigation measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and includes initiatives for the implementation of renewable energy sources, electricity efficiency and conservation.
• Malta’s GHG emissions increased by 49% between 1990 and 2010, although emissions have been relatively stable since then.  Almost 90% of the 2010 emissions came from the energy sector, including transportation (State of the Environment Report, 2012).
• In a 2013 Eurobarometer Survey (Special Eurobarometer 409, 2014), Malta was one of three European member states where respondents identified climate change to be the single most serious problem facing the world.  Sweden topped the poll (39% of respondents); Malta and Denmark both registered 30% of respondents. 
• In the same Eurobarometer Survey, 60% of Maltese respondents replied that they had personally taken action to fight climate change over the previous six months, with Malta ranking 7^th in the European Union (EU-28) and higher than the average for the EU-28 (50%).  Respondents in Sweden topped the poll (80%); the lowest number of respondents to have personally taken action to fight climate change over the previous six months was in Romania (23%).   
• :

Malta Resource Authority. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://mra.org.mt/climate-change/climate-change-introduction/

European Commission Special Eurobarometer 409: Climate Change, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_409_en.pdf

Malta Environment and Planning Authority.  The Environment Report: Indicators 2010-2011. Retrieved August 6, 2016, from http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/The-Environment-Report-Indicators-2010-2011.aspx

 

• There is a diverse array of flora and fauna in the Maltese Islands.  This is despite Malta’s relatively small land area, the relatively limited number of habitat types, and the intense human pressure given the high population density and increasing urbanisation.  To date, over 4,500 species of terrestrial flora and fauna have been recorded on the Maltese Islands, with approximately 85% of these being endemic species (NatureTrust Malta, 2016).

 

• A total of 67.6km² (21.5%) of Malta’s land area is identified as ‘protected area’; the total protected marine area covers 190.8km² (State of the Environment Report, 2012).  There are a range of international and national-level environmental designations, including Special Conservation Areas (SAC), affording protection for special habitats and species, Special Protection Areas (SPAs), affording protection for birds, and Natura 2000 sites (13.1% of Malta’s land area forms part of the EU’s Natura 2000 protected areas network). 

 

• Of the total number of terrestrial species in Malta, approximately 2% are considered to be ‘threatened’, and at least 4% are considered to be ‘near threatened’ at the European level.  Many of these species are endemic to Europe (NatureTrust Malta, 2016).

 

• In a 2013 Eurobarometer Survey (Flash Eurobarometer 379, 2013), 82% of Maltese respondents replied that they considered biodiversity loss on the Maltese Islands to be a serious problem; 44% considered the loss of biodiversity to be a very serious problem.    

 

Sources:

Nature Trust Malta.  Retrieved July 7, 2016, from http://www.naturetrustmalta.org/environmental-education/biodiversity/

European Commission Flash Eurobarometer 379: Attitudes Towards Biodiversity, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_379_en.pdf  

Malta Environment and Planning Authority.  The Environment Report: Indicators 2010-2011. Retrieved August 6, 2016, from http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/The-Environment-Report-Indicators-2010-2011.aspx  

 

 

 

• Total waste generated by the Maltese in 2010 equated to 1.4 million tonnes.  A household waste composition survey carried out in 2012 (National Statistics Office, Malta 2012) revealed that the daily average household waste was 0.68kg and identified a 4.2% decrease in the daily average household waste over the 10 years from 2002. 

 

• Waste recycling was introduced in Malta in 2002, and has served to significantly reduce  the volume of waste to landfill.  In 2010, approximately 62.8% of waste generated was landfilled, a reduction from 74.7% in 2009 (State of the Environment Report, 2012).  Seperation of waste at source (at household level) has also increased significantly; in 2013, source-segregated recyclable waste totalled 19,735 tonnes.

 

• In a 2013 Eurobarometer Survey (Flash Eurobarometer 388, 2014), 52% of Maltese respondents replied that reducing waste and recycling waste at home would make the biggest difference in achieving the efficient use resources.  This compares with the European Union (EU-28) average of 51%.  In the same survey, when asked the reason why they would not try to reduce the amount of waste they generate, only 8% of the Maltese gave the reason that it is the responsibility of the product producer and not of individual users to reduce waste; the was the lowest response rate for this reason among the EU-28.

WasteServ.  Retrieved August 7, 2016, from https://www.wasteservmalta.com/recyclablewaste

Malta Environment and Planning Authority.  The Environment Report: Indicators 2010-2011. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/The-Environment-Report-Indicators-2010-2011.aspx  

European Commission Flash Eurobarometer 388: Attitudes of Europeans Towards Waste Management and Resource Efficiency Report, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_388_en.pdf

 

 

• The Maltese Government spent €132 million on the environment in 2010.  This expenditure represented 5% of Government’s overall spending in 2010 and 2.1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

 

• The majority of environmental expenditure in 2010 (79.4%) was in relation to waste management.  Protection of biodiversity and landscape accounted for 16.5% of environmental expenditure; a further 2.9% went towards other environmental protection related matters (environmental educational initiatives and campaigns, funds for green leaders and green wardens, and matching national funds related to EU projects).

 

• Government expenditure on environmental protection has fluctuated in recent years.  Together with Greece however, Malta’s contribution to environmental protection in 2014 was the highest amongst the countries of the European Union (EU-28).  In 2014, the Maltese Government spent 1.6% of the total general government expenditure (% of GDP % of total expenditure) on environmental protection (Eurostat’s Classification of the Functions of Government, 2016). 

 

Year	General Government Environmental Protection Expenditure (€ millions)
2009	96,393
2010	128,312
2011	87,313
2012	100,328

National Statistics Office, Malta 2014

Sources:

Malta Environment and Planning Authority.  The Environment Report: Indicators 2010-2011. Retrieved August 6, 2016, from http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/The-Environment-Report-Indicators-2010-2011.aspx

Eurostat. Retrieved August 6, 2016, from http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Government_expenditure_by_function_%E2%80%93_COFOG   

National Statistics Office. Retrived August 6 2016,from   https://nso.gov.mt/en/publicatons/Publications_by_Unit/Documents/D2_External_Cooperation_and_Communication/Malta_in_Figures_2014.pdf  

 

• Responsibility for environmental regulation in Malta lies with a number of different Ministries and agencies.

 

• The Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change is responsible for environmental, waste and climate change policies, parks, and the waste operator, as well as environmental aspects related to agriculture and fisheries and animal welfare.  The Environment and Resources Authority, within this Ministry, is the competent authority responsible for environmental regulation, under the Environment Protection Act 2015.

 

• The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is responsible for land use planning, energy and water.  The Planning Authority, within OPM, is the competent authority responsible for land use planning in Malta, under the Development Planning Act 2016 and through implementation of the national Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) 2015.

 

• The Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Unit, within OPM, is responsible for policy development in the energy and water sectors. 

 

• The Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government is responsible for cultural heritage and restoration.

 

• The Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure is responsible for internal and external transport.  Transport Malta, within this Ministry, regulates the transport sector.

 

• The Ministry for Health is responsible for environmental health.  The Environmental Health Directorate, within this Ministry, promotes and safeguards the well-being and health of the public from adverse environmental effects.

 

 

Gov.mt. Retrieved from https://www.gov.mt/en/Services-And-Information/Pages/Environmental-Regulation.aspx

Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change http://environment.gov.mt/en/Pages/mdsec%20main.aspx

Office of the Prime Minister.Retrieved August 7, 2016, from: https://opm.gov.mt/en/Pages/primeministerhome.aspx

Environment and Resources Authority. General information and Environment Protection Act 2016.Retrieved August 7, 2016, from: http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/who-we-are.aspx and http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/Legislation-and-Policy.aspx

Planning Authority. General information, Development Planning Act 2016 and Strategic Plan for the Environment and Develooment 2015.Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://www.pa.org.mt/home?l=1 , http://www.pa.org.mt/LpDocumentDetails?syskey=1782 and http://www.pa.org.mt/LPLegislationPolicyDocs?topic=none&doctype=Strategic%20Plan%20for%20Environment%20and%20Development%20&doctypeid=14&docname=none&sc=1

 

• There is a relatively strong environmental lobby in Malta, with a number of environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in relation to the protection and conservation of natural and cultural heritage and health and well-being.  Environmentalism is also present in Maltese politics, both through the environmental NGOs and through the Maltese Green Party (Alternattiva Demokratika) established in 1989. The Green Party has representation at the local level (seats on various Local Councils).

 

• Environmental NGOs have been active in Malta since the 1960s.  Many of these NGOs have international affiliations, for example, Friends of the Earth Malta, Greenpeace Malta, and Slow Food Malta, and there are a number of radical NGOs, including Moviment Graffitti and Żminijietna (Voice of the Left).

 

• A recurring feature of the environmental lobby in Malta has been the creation of NGO alliances promoting specific environmental campaigns, primarily in relation to particular development projects (for example, the ‘Front against the Hilton Redevelopment Project’ in the 1990s).  A new forum (Terrafirma) has recently been established to enable and promote collaboration between NGOs working in relation to the environment and related areas.  Currently with 16 members, Terrafirma provides a number of free services to NGOs, including training and other capacity building activities.

 

Terrafirma NGO Members
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar	BirdLife Malta	Let’s Do It! Malta	Earth Systems
Friends of the Earth Malta	ADŻ Malta Green Youth	Greenhouse Malta	Association, Sharklab-Malta
Malta Organic Agriculture Movement	KOPIN (Koperazzjoni Internazzjonali – Malta)	Slow Food Malta	Għaqda Bajja San Tumas
Youth for the Environment	SPCA Malta	fish4tomorrow	Malta Water Association

 

Sources:

Michael Briguglio (2015). ‘Ten Years of Malta’s EU Membership - The Impact on Maltese Environmental NGOs.’ Reflections of a Decade of EU Membership: Expectations, Achievements, Disappointments and the Future Occasional Papers, No. 7, Institute for European Studies (Malta). Retrieved August 7, 2016, from http://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/254713/Michael_Briguglio_Final.pdf

Terrafirma. Retrieved August 7, 2016, from  http://terrafirmacollective.org/about/

 

 

 

What is healthcare like in Malta?

 

• Malta has a very good healthcare system where publically-funded health-care is a key provider of health services.  The primary public hospital in Malta is the Mater Dei Hospital, which opened in 2007 and is one of the largest hospitals in Europe.  Primary healthcare is supplemented by regional facilities (Health Centres). There is a growing private health sector, which complements the provision of health services particularly in the area of primary health care. Total health expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 8.7% in 2012. 

 

• A World Health Organisation report in 2000 ranked Malta 5^th in the World for overall performance of its health care system.   The top performers were France (1^st), Italy (2^nd), San Marino (3^rd), and Andorra (4^th); the United States and the United Kingdom ranked 37^th and 18^th, respectively. 

 

• All European Union (EU) citizens permanently residing Malta are entitled to free health care from public hospitals and clinics, as long as they have the E121 Form. Visiting EU citizens are eligible to use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers free medical treatment from public facilities.

 

Public Hospitals	Private Hospitals
Mater Dei Hospital (Malta)	St James Hospital (Sliema and Zabbar)
Gozo General Hospital	St Philips Hospital (Sta Venera)
Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre	St Marks Health Clinic (Msida)
Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital	Da Vinci Hospital Birkirkara
Mount Carmel Mental Health Hospital

Government of Malta 2016

Health Centres
Floriana Health Centre	Cospicua Health Centre
Rabat Health Centre	Qormi Health Centre
Mosta Health Centre	Birkirkara Health Centre
Gzira Health Centre	Paola Health Centre

Government of Malta 2016

Sources:

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO 2014.

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/241849/HiT-Malta.pdf?ua=1   

World Health Organisation.  World Health Report 2000. Health Systems: Improving Performance. Retrieved June 19, 2016, from http://www.who.int/whr/2000/en/whr00_en.pdf?ua=1

health.gov.mt. https://www.gov.mt/en/Services-And-Information/Business-Areas/Health%20Services/Pages/Health-Services-in-Malta.aspx

Malta.com http://www.malta.com/en/local-information/health-care