Spotlight on Malta Health Network

The purpose of the Malta Health Network (MHN) is to represent in Malta, in the EU and internationally, the interests of patients and health of the community, developing better coordination, collaboration, and capacity building through exchange of best practice among health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs), health-related non-profit organisations (NPOs) and patient representation groups (PRGs).

27 health organisations are members in MHN. The organisations include those related to cancer support groups such as the Hospice Movement and Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, mental health organisations such as the Richmond Foundation and Mental Health Association, organisations related to various conditions such as the Eczema Support Group and Coeliac Association, other organisations such as the Blood Donors Association, and professional bodies such as the Association for Speech Language Pathologists, Dentists Association and Malta Physiotherapy Association. The Board of Administrators, which is made up of 9 members, is elected from representatives of member organisations. MHN is run solely on a voluntary basis and is non-profitmaking.

Our objectives are:
 To give patients a voice on health related issues
 To influence health-related policies and practices for the welfare of the community
 To establish a framework to facilitate communication on health-related and patient concerns between NGOs, NPOs & PRGs and governmental entities and the community.
 To promote the representation of its members in National, EU and International fora.

The Malta Health Network keeps abreast of policies being developed on national and EU levels, and through consultations with its members it presents position papers on relevant issues. The MHN Board of Administrators (BOA) meets once a month to discuss any issues arising from month to month and to take decisions on these matters. Between meetings BOA members work on tasks assigned in order to meet set targets.

For the past 3 years the MHN held activities to raise awareness on Patients Rights Day celebrated on April 18. Since its creation in 2007, MHN has been in regular contact with local health authorities, including regular meetings with the (then) Minister for Social Policy, Mr. John Dalli, the recently appointed European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs. The MHN also keeps regular contact with the appointed Minister for Health Dr. Joseph Cassar and is actively involved in discussions concerning the Maltese Primary Care Reform.

How do you get involved?

The MHN operates on a voluntary basis and is limited in its operations due to the fact that it does not have administrative staff and permanent offices. A difficulty often encountered is the need for consultants to provide assistance and advice on policies being drafted on a local and EU level. The EPHA newsletter often helps to highlight specific issues we would need to focus on, however as a small but growing organisation we welcome advice from bigger and more established organisations.

MHN is also interested in considering partnership in possible EU-funded projects which might require partners from Member States situated in the south of the EU and/or in a strategic position in the Mediterranean.

Please visit our website at www.maltahealthnetwork.org or contact us by e-mail.

EPHA related articles

 Malta’s John Dalli EU Commissioner-Designate for Health and Consumer Policy
 Malta Health Network, 13 November 2007
 Exchange of best practice on NGO coallitions in Malta, 2006