Malta Health Network and European Lung Foundation trains patient ambassadors to mark Patient Solidarity Day

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, the Malta Health Network (MHN) organised two training events as its celebration for Patient Solidarity Day inspired by the theme of ‘Patient Empowerment Through Knowledge.’ Both events, which offered introductory training to the European Patient Ambassador Programme ​(EPAP), were held on the 30th November and the 1st December 2017.

EPAP enables patients, carers and professionals to represent and successfully speak up for themselves and for others with a health condition. MHN Chairperson had heard about the IALP Congress 2016 and through networking and local funding opportunities this year we brought these introductory sessions to Malta and we found a very positive response from all 35 participants.

EPAP’s Training was provided by Kate Hill and Kjeld Hansen, Council Members of the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and EPAP Patient Advisory Group Members. Trainers encouraged participants to become fully certified as patient ambassadors, helping make a difference as to how healthcare is delivered in the future.

Participation Certificates were awarded by Prof. Anthony Serracino Inglott, Chairperson of the Malta Medicines Authority, and by the Hon. Dr Deo Debattista, Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection. Participants were also addressed by the Hon. Dr Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations.

MHN is an independent, voluntary body, established in 2007, with the aim of representing in Malta, in the EU and internationally the interests of 30 patient, carer and professional organisations. The MHN has been notably active in promoting the European Charter of Patients’ Rights. In June 2017, the MHN, together with the No Pain Foundation, successfully hosted in Malta 300 international delegates attending the 2017 Societal Impact of Pain Symposium. The MHN is currently conducting a research project on Chronic Pain in Maltese Society. This project is funded (80%) through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector on behalf of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations.