• Also meets several healthcare leaders in the United States
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Dr Ian Borg stressed that preparations for future pandemics must be based on practical measures that take account of each country’s different circumstances. He was addressing a United Nations High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held in New York during the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was attended by representatives of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) leadership, the European Commissioner for Health, and a number of ministers and other leaders in the field.
In his address, Dr Borg expressed Malta’s support for the Political Declaration presented at the meeting, describing it as a step towards stronger and more equitable pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. He also welcomed the progress made through the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the International Health Regulations.
“For small states like Malta, preparedness must be practical and flexible. Limited capacity, reliance on international supply chains and the impact that a health emergency can have on a small country make regional and international cooperation essential. They also require us to continue strengthening our health system so that we are prepared for any eventuality. We must learn from what we experienced a few years ago and retain what worked well,” Dr Borg said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that the progress made since the COVID-19 pandemic must be translated into concrete action. He emphasised the need to invest in primary health care, public health surveillance, laboratories and the health workforce, as well as to ensure equitable access to vaccines, medicines and other medical resources during emergencies.
Dr Borg said that every country must prepare for these realities in a coordinated way, stressing that, in an increasingly globalised world, Malta’s preparedness alone is not enough. He added that these preparations must also take account of the needs of different groups in society, including children, older people and vulnerable persons, while ensuring continued access to education, routine vaccination, essential health services and mental health support.
In recent days, Dr Borg also held a series of meetings to explore collaborations that could help improve both Malta’s preparedness for health emergencies and the services offered at every level. Among his engagements, the Deputy Prime Minister visited Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and also met Dr Selwyn Vickers, President and CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Dr Philip O. Ozuah, President and CEO of Montefiore Einstein; and Dr John G. Meara, of Boston Children’s Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School.
These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss research, innovation, professional training and quality of care, including cancer care, as well as the potential for further collaboration. Dr Borg stressed that the main aim of exchanging experience with international institutions is to help Malta continue improving care for every patient.
