ADPD calls for holistic approach to health

ADPD the Green Party has called for a more holistic approach to healthcare, arguing that health should not be seen merely as the absence of illness but as a combination of physical, mental and social wellbeing shaped by environmental factors.

In a statement, the party said healthcare policy should embrace the “One Health” concept, which views the person as a whole and recognises the close links between physical and mental health, as well as the wider social and environmental context.

ADPD spokesperson Mark Zerafa, said Malta already offers a high-quality healthcare service but stressed the growing need to prioritise disease prevention.

“While Malta’s healthcare system is of good quality, we must place greater emphasis on preventing illness,” Zerafa said. “By examining how we live, we can better understand how to improve our health. This leads not only to a better quality of life but also reduces demand on our limited resources and ensures they are used more effectively.”

He noted that, in 2021 alone, 973 deaths could have been avoided through healthier lifestyles.

ADPD is proposing a series of measures aimed at improving public health. These include increasing awareness both in schools and among the public about healthier lifestyle choices, particularly encouraging diets with less sugar and fat and greater consumption of fruit and vegetables.

The party also called for a shift away from reliance on private vehicles in favour of less polluting modes of transport. This, it said, is essential to reduce air pollution linked to respiratory illnesses, while also addressing the mental health impacts of chaotic traffic.

Zerafa highlighted the importance of continued education about the risks of smoking, pointing to its links with heart disease and cancer. He also suggested a national debate on banning the sale of tobacco products to people born after a certain date, following a model recently introduced in the United Kingdom.

Other proposals include promoting physical activity and designing roads that encourage walking and cycling by making them safer and more accessible.

ADPD also pointed to emerging health threats, warning that tropical infectious diseases could spread further across the Mediterranean as the climate becomes increasingly warmer.

The party raised concerns about access to innovative medicines, noting that Malta’s small market limits availability and forces doctors to rely on alternative pharmaceutical products