Health

Malta: EU COVID-19 certificate required, separate from local certificate

To travel abroad, Maltese will need the EU COVID-19 certificate, separate from the local certificate, Health Minister Chris Fearne said. The minister was speaking during a press conference on Monday, giving…

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Malta: Worker seriously injured after falling from scaffolding

A 20-year old construction worker was seriously injured when he fell from a scaffolding in Kappara. In a statement, the police on Wednesday said that the man, from Syria, had…

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WHO and ECDC launch indicator framework to evaluate effectiveness of digital tracing solutions

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) together with the World Health Organization (WHO) through its Headquarters and Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) have developed the first indicator…

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Footballers Union FIFPRO warned of player exhaustion ahead of Eriksen collapse

Global players' union FIFPRO warned that player welfare was not being considered when competition calendars are drawn up, hours before Denmark's Christian Eriksen collapsed during his European Championship group opener…

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Malta: Charmaine Gauci takes a bow as COVID bulletins come to an end

The Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci has announced that she will no longer give her weekly COVID-19 briefings, as Malta's low positivity rate provides no need for them. During…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Times of Malta says that the over-exploitation and contamination of the country’s groundwater reserves continues uncontrolled and that bold initiatives are needed to secure the future of Malta's population. MaltaToday…

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Don’t rely on caffeine to fight sleep deprivation, experts warn

Don't rely on caffeine to fight sleep deprivation after a rough night, experts have warned. Researchers from Michigan State University assessed just how effective caffeine is at counteracting the negative…

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Malta: Elderly in homes to recieve €100 in direct contribution instead of government COVID vouchers

Elderly people in public and private care residences will not be receiving government's second round of COVID-19 vouchers announced last week but will instead be receiving €100 directly in their bank…

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Maltese Editorials’ Perspectives

Times of Malta says that ad hoc agreements, such as the one recently struck with Charles Polidano, undermine people's faith in transparent government. The Independent says that we are all…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Times of Malta says that the tourism industry needs to think long-term and not just about attracting large numbers The Independent says that we cannot remove all measures now and…

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Malta: Country has lowest COVID-19 case and death rate in the EU

Malta now has the lowest COVID-19 infection and death rates in Europe, after the number of new cases continued to drop in recent weeks. The details emerged from fresh weekly…

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Two-month-old Spanish baby saved by pioneering heart transplant

The life of a two-month-old Spanish girl was saved by pioneering surgery when doctors transplanted a small heart that had stopped beating from a donor with a different blood type, Hospital Gregorio…

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Japan says Olympics must not burden medical systems

TOKYO, April 30 (Reuters) - The Olympics must not be a burden on medical systems, Japan's chief government spokesman said on Friday, amid worries that daily athlete testing will tax…

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Malta: 40+ persons can start registering for the vaccine from Friday

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne has announced that persons aged 40+ can start registering for the Covid-19 vaccination with effect from Friday. Dr Fearne urged these persons…

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Malta: Unions using patients as ‘pawns’ to pressure authorities, health commissioner warns

The Commissioner for Health at the Office of the Ombudsman says unions must not use patients to pressure authorities, but also insists ministries must act swiftly when faced with complaints…

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Romanian PM fires health minister over handling of COVID-19

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian Prime Minister Florin Citu fired his health minister on Wednesday, saying he wanted to shore up trust in state institutions as they battle the coronavirus pandemic,…

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Two-thirds of Maltese look for health information online

Almost two-thirds of Maltese citizens look for health information online, Eurostat data revealed. This is significantly higher than the EU average, where 55% of persons aged 16-74 reported that they…

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Athletics can play huge role in fixing global health crisis says Coe

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe says that his sport can have a huge influence on helping the post-pandemic world address the global health crisis and is making plans to ensure…

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Slovak health minister resigns amid government row and COVID surge

PRAGUE, March 11 (Reuters) - Slovak Health Minister Marek Krajci said on Thursday he would resign, as the government tries to move past a coalition row while it tackling one…

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Malta: No pregnant woman or baby with Covid-19 required ventilator at Mater Dei

The Head of Department of Obstetrics and Genealogy at Mater Dei, Yves Muscat Baron, said that fathers can enter the ward to support the mother until the baby is born.…

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‘I’m asking for one more effort’, PM Abela says as new restrictions announced in Malta

Following the rise in cases, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the following measures. These will be effective from tomorrow until April 11: Restaurants and kiosks will remain open for takeaways…

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UK startup develops gyroscope glove to ease tremors for those with Parkinson’s

A UK startup has developed a glove with a built-in spinning gyroscope that it says can help people with Parkinson's disease and Essential tremor (ET) overcome their often debilitating tremors…

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Malta: Government asks for private doctors’ interest to administer vaccine

Professor Charmaine Gauci has written to private medical practitioners asking them to register their interest to vaccinate their patients once the vaccine roll out is open to the general public.…

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Malta: Health ministry blocks union’s mass industrial action in hospital

A judge has temporarily suspended industrial action ordered by the UĦM Voice of the Workers union in hospital following an application for an injunction filed by the health ministry. Last…

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Malta: Public health doctors against legalisation of cannabis

Public health doctors have reiterated their stand against the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. The Malta Association of Public Health Medicine said it supported the statement released last week by…

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Caring for the sick is not an “optional activity” for the Church, but an integral part of her mission – Pope Francis

Vatican News - The healing of St Peter’s mother-in-law is characteristic of Jesus’ miracles of healing, Pope Francis says during his weekly Angelus address. In St Mark’s Gospel, we read…

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Study suggests Malta has highest EU vaccination rate per capita

According to a study reported by Politico, if the current number of doses per day remains unchanged until the end of Summer, Malta will have vaccinated 35% of its population.…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Times of Malta says that a strategy document for the tourism industry has some merits but fails to set challenging and quantifiable targets. The Independent says that the decision to…

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Lockdown and dementia: for some, COVID-19 has created an isolated, confusing but calmer world

The approximately 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK have been badly affected by COVID-19. Many live in care homes, which have arguably been hit hardest by the pandemic,…

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Berlusconi in hospital with heart problems – doctor

MILAN, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been urgently admitted to hospital in Monaco because of heart problems, his personal doctor told Reuters on Thursday.…

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Malta: ‘School should go on’ – Charmaine Gauci weighs in on education row

Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci has weighed in on a row between education authorities and teachers' unions, saying schools should continue to operate with COVID-19 measures in place. In…

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Malta: First medical cannabis production licence issued by Malta

The medicine’s authority has issued the first license for the production of medical cannabis. The Canadian company Aphria, a global leader in the sector, will be manufacturing, packing and testing…

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Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be stored in normal fridges, company says

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be transported in a liquid state at household fridge temperatures, the company said in an updated handling guide released today. The Moderna vaccine is awaiting final authorisation…

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EU countries may not start vaccinations at the same time

Some EU countries do not plan on starting vaccination programmes together, despite European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisting on otherwise. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on…

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Malta: Influenza nasal sprays for children to be administered during Christmas holidays

With effect from Monday 21 December and up to 4 January, children in the 2 to 18-year age group can get influenza nasal spray from Health Centres in Malta and…

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Update – Track and Tracing underway for EU leaders as Macron tests positive for coronavirus

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for coronavirus, his office said on Thursday, sparking a track and trace effort targeting EU leaders and senior officials who met him in…

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Malta: Country expects to start COVID-19 vaccinations by year’s end

The European Medicines Agency said on Tuesday it had moved forward a meeting to decide on authorisation for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 by more than a week to December…

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Malta: University students concerned at hospital’s ‘already stretched resources’

The Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) and the Malta Medical Students Association (MMSA) have expressed concern that when Barts Medical School reaches full capacity, another 180 students will be added to…

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Malta: Lack of cooperation during Vitals investigation – Auditor General

Auditor General Charles Deguara told the Board of the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia that his office was not given all the information it required while…

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Malta: Country considers COVID-19 vaccine certificates

Malta is considering a Proof of Vaccination document to be handed to all those who take the COVID-19 vaccine, Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci said on Wednesday. She said…

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Malta: Flu vaccinations to resume on Sunday – Health Minister

Flu vaccinations will be available at health centres this coming Sunday, Health Minister Chris Fearne said. In a tweet published on Wednesday afternoon, Fearne said that a batch of 100,000…

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Malta: Minister Fearne chosen to form part of experts’ group

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne has been chosen to form part of One Health Global Leaders Group, the government announced on Friday. The international group issues guidelines…

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Malta: Deputy PM replies about Covid-19 situation in Malta

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne has stressed that in regard to the pandemic situation, the Government is acting in a transparent manner and for this reason is…

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EU4Health: MEPs pave the way for an effective EU health programme

To close gaps exposed by COVID-19 and ensure that health systems can face future threats to public health, an ambitious EU health programme is needed, say MEPs. On Friday, Parliament…

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EU increases its contribution to COVAX

The European Union has announced today it will contribute an additional €100 million in grant funding to support the COVAX Facility to secure access to the future COVID-19 vaccine in…

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Malta: Ħal Qormi Mayor Renald Falzon dies

The death has been announced of Ħal Qormi Mayor Renald Falzon at the age of 46 years. Qormi Local Council posted on Facebook that it is grateful for everything the…

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EU approves contract with BioNTech-Pfizer alliance to ensure access to a potential Covid-19 vaccine

On Wednesday, the European Commission approved a fourth contract with pharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Pfizer, which provides for the initial purchase of 200 million doses on behalf of all EU…

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European Commission takes first steps towards European Health Union

The European Commission is taking the first steps towards building the European Health Union announced by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address. The Commission is putting forward…

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Malta: Travel ‘amber list’ significantly expanded

The health authorities have announced that the Covid-19 “amber list” – the list of destinations from which travellers are required to submit a negative Covid-19 test on arrival – is…

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Malta: Rise in virus cases within three homes for the elderly, Gauci says

Almost 90 new COVID-19 cases detected this week are of elderly residents at three care homes, Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci said on Friday. Gauci said that the 85 patients…

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Malta: ‘Lovable’ priest becomes 60th COVID-19 death

Tributes have been paid to a 76-year-old priest, who has become Malta's latest COVID-19 victim. Fr Lino Cardona has been described as 'lovable' and 'jovial' by the students he taught…

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Malta: COVID-19 rapid testing commenced today

COVID-19 rapid testing commenced today with the result being announced just after a few minutes. This is taking at Boffa Hospital in Floriana for health workers, passenger arrivals at Luqa…

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Malta: “Big family gatherings should be avoided this Christmas ” – Minister Fearne

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne reaffirmed that the maximum number of people who can gather outside is 6, and stressed that what cannot be done outside should…

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Exposure to air pollution may accelerate Covid-19 deaths

Exposure to air pollution may be linked to some 15% of Covid-19 deaths worldwide, according to research published Tuesday that highlights the health risks posed by greenhouse gas emissions. Previous…

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Europe needs ‘serious acceleration’ in fight against coronavirus – WHO

Europe needs a "serious acceleration" in the fight against the coronavirus and a lack of contact-tracing capacity could drive the disease into the darkness, a top World Health Organization official…

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Malta: Urgent appeal for O Negative blood with only three bags remaining

Health authorities have issued an urgent appeal for the donation of O negative blood. In a post on the health ministry’s Facebook page, authorities said that the urgent need for…

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Malta: BOV Gżira and Marsa branches back in service

Bank of Valletta would like to advise its customers that with effect from Wednesday 21st October, it will be reopening its Gżira and Marsa Branches. The Branches were temporarily closed…

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