Health & Mindfulness

health&mindfulness The Malta Independent on Sunday 13 January 2019

SCREEN-FREE WEEKENDS Rethinking social media usage

NEW YEAR, NEW START

ACUPUNCTURE FOR HEALTH AND RELAXATION

HEAD AND HEART

what is a Simian line?

RETAIL THERAPY

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JANUARY 2019

NEW YEAR, new start

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or everyone filled with excitement and anticipation, at the thought of a new year, there are others for whom it is a time of anxiety.

Experience teaches us that whatever our hopes and resolutions, things will happen that we neither expect nor welcome. But, it still seems a suitable time to reset our aims and habits, so we'll be ready for whatever comes along.

If the idea of leaving worries behind feels like giving up, do your best to replace them with different things to think about.

And while ongoing tasks bring pressure, just promise yourself a small treat for when they are done and get on with them. We all know the people who never seem to stop but still have time for everything they want to do.

Let this be the year when you really do find more time for whatever you enjoy.

Plan your goals – for work Academic qualifications are certainly valuable, but work goals will be easier to achieve if you have a variety of interests and life experiences to contribute. Seek these whenever you can and use them to find

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health&mindfulness

The beginning of the year is when we are supposed to transform ourselves and our lives into perfection. Yes, well, here are some ideas that might help, and not a resolution in sight!

new opportunities; if that is where they lead you. Better to be in a career that you love than one you just slotted into.

Be willing to make changes to move forward in life. Use your imagination to picture certain scenarios, let them be inspirational but also realistic.

Being prepared to take risks, seek work abroad or start a project of your own to broaden your outlook and chances of success.

Try not to automatically see failure is an indication that you are not good enough, or you'll end up limiting all possibilities of success. Just try a different approach and always give yourself the credit you deserve.

Any success, when it comes will all the sweeter.

And for work relationships Communication skills at work are can be a gift or carefully learned, either way they will make all the difference to your work environment. Remember it’s not all about you. Always assume others are doing the best they can at first. When something isn't up to scratch ask what the problem is, before judging why it has occurred. If you don't know how something works or what policies and practices are followed ask; no one is omniscient, and if you

internet files and hoards of 'stuff'. OK, so this one comes up every year. But millions are yet to feel the cathartic glow that comes in the wake of rediscovering, recycling and repurposing our treasures; and finally discarding the glut of rubbish that will never 'come in handy one day'.

And for personal relationships

make your request for help patiently and pleasantly no one will mind giving it. At the same time never be reluctant to return the favour.

When things go wrong, obviously you should say so.

But always give honest reasons rather than excuses for your own mistakes and they will be forgotten as soon as mended.

When you need something extra from somebody consider the timing and how they will fit it in with what they are already doing, rather than insist it is done immediately. Also, very important, there is no harm in quietly complimenting all colleagues on a job well done and appreciating their help on mutual projects.

For personal goals Instead of trying to make sweeping changes in the direction of salad bars, gyms and undersized jeans, admit that, like those before, this won't be the year when tying yourself to style blogs and food dictatorials will fulfill your dreams.

Make time for your own

interests, pamper yourself with spa visits, Order takeaways regularly to save not just the cooking but the shopping and washing up as well.

Detox your social media links, eat and drink anything that doesn't make you ill, whenever you like to banish misery, celebratory and compensatory eating. Once you stop using food and drink as a consolation or reward and identify which ones make you feel fit and happy, a self commissioned diet will be in place.

News like Trump twitters and collective corruption should come with a health-warning, so create a mental barrier against all the things you can't control.

This is not irresponsible or callous. It is common sense.

There are hundreds of small, generous, practical ways to make life better around us, and we'll be able to see the rewarding results.

Only use social media links to enhance your life rather than compare it with others.

Hold regular, general decluttering sessions – everything from your cupboards and clothes, to your

Start really caring for yourself.

This is not selfishness; we can only give from what we have.

Focusing, in proportion, on what you need for your mental and physical health will make you a more efficient, happier person all round.

Accepting good advice is one thing, but giving too much importance to negative comments and what others think, instead of living the life that suits you, will only lead to discontentment. Be honest with yourself and straightforward with others.

Choose friends who are life enhancers, who can give and take, make allowances and back you up; those with whom you can share whatever happens, good and bad.

They are the ones you can rely on to always be there, be loyal to them. Friendship is never about point scoring or comparisons. It thrives on small thoughtful communication, not grand gestures. And the longer it lasts the more precious it is.

One more important thing, be prepared to accept help as well as give it. No one wants to be a nuisance or a drain on anyone, but when friends offer help in serious situations don't struggle to manage on your own. Take their offer gratefully. You will feel better and they will feel happy knowing there was something, however small they could do to help. And another bond will have been formed.

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health&mindfulness

You’ve never alone WITH A PHONE

Could this be the year we all take fresh look at our social media boundaries?

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s a natural response to both Christmas and New Year excesses and to get a seat on the bandwagon to healthy living, dry January, a month without alcohol, has become a thing. Recently Screen-free weekends have been flagged as an attractive way to refresh and detox our minds.

In the normal course of events we happily throw privacy to the wind when adding a like or a comment. We disregard the risks of allowing our private thoughts and feelings, the things we enjoy or fear, lose or achieve bandied about for everyone to see; even though these are an integral part of our inner selves which make us unique.

Just got a job or bought an awesome pair of shoes? Share it on some page or other. Your puppy in a new coat, your baby in a bubble bath, the 'klikka' at the lido, share, share and share again, it's fun.

But what does this really say?

Now that anything and everything is likely to end up on social media, are our lives really reduced to sending out images of the cocktail we’re about to drink or the kitten we've just dressed up in a spangled headband and, more the point, who exactly are our real friends?

Yes, it's lovely to be able to send instant images of everything from a successful soufflé to a retiled bathroom for your nearest and dearest to admire; it's so nice to be able to keep in touch to such an extent.

But does the whole world need to know? And will it end if no one gives your post a like?

As a way of saving time and the crippling costs of postage and landline calls to far-flung

friends and families, social media is both a joy and a security blanket. We would not want to be without it.

But do we realise how vulnerable it makes us, that Facebook, and other social media sites, are gathering details about our entire lives, just from our likes and dislikes and the comments we post? Even the most 'private' messages to the tightest set of 'friends' are open to them.

We must decide whether the network sites that thrive on our need for 'friends' and communication are as amicable as they would like us to think.

What they may be doing behind our backs in the guise of friendship is quite horrifying.

And how reluctant are they to remove hurtful and even dangerous content? No society or club would allow the sort of behaviour that they are

becoming known for and neither should we.

Our good friends are there for us and they give us space when we need it. Facebook, and by default their colleagues have an agenda to consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible.

Their shameless wooing of even children into a place where they could feel devalued, deprived and depressed because they do not have everything their peers have, or be bullied for any reason is unforgivable. And it's not just young people either.

All generations can end up feeling inadequate, when constantly lured to sites that highlight possessions and highflying lifestyles or allow harassment and heavy auto-suggestion about what they should be doing and how.

As long as we are communicating through social

media we are available to ad agencies, statisticians and who knows what other organisations.

You may tell a friend a secret and he or she will keep it faithfully but the others who pick it up will not.

On the whole humans have a basic need to belong to certain groups and often for certain status. When our achievements, are recognised we are happy and feel rewarded or admired. The more people we share this with the better. We are becoming a race of praise seekers and in a way that has never been seen before. Our self satisfaction rests on as many people as possible knowing what we are doing practically every hour of the day and praising or commiserating with us accordingly. Is this not a little sad?

Consider this. In the 1950s a pigeon lab was set up in Harvard, US. The pigeons were

given food whenever they pecked a button, so they pecked a lot. But if they were not given food every time they pecked a button their pecking became frantic and compulsive. It is suggested that this behaviour is reborn through Facebook. People checking their pages cannot predict whether someone has left them a message, self relevant or not. But many cannot resist looking almost all the time, just in case.

But, just as there are those who have always preferred to avoid even good exposure, so there are still people for whom social media is no big thing. They have not grown up with it and most of them have better things to do with their time. They like their friends to feel valued as individuals. They would rather chat on the phone, email news and attachments to specific people or meet on Skype, or better still in person.

They have social media well in hand and do not respond to every item, or link that pops up.

Their location, preferences, data sharing and permission to suggest added information facilities are all turned off; their YouTube watching history is paused, all browsing history, data and cookies are continuously cleared. They are happy to take any extra time necessary to browse and connect.

Imagine if we were cut off from social media for a month; can't bear the thought? OK then a week. This is not cut off as in no signal, dessert island isolation, just no online communication. If your new year resolution is to regulate your use of social media, quitting completely is probably too big a task right now, but you'll find some really good encouragement below.

I’m cutting down on social media to…

IMPROVE CONCENTRATION – Continually checking social media counts as multitasking, it causes distractions, reduces production time by up to 40 percent and can produce an inferior result.

SPUR CREATIVITY – The nagging notifications social media in the background interferes with work that needs imagination and creativity.

Cutting it out allows creativity to flourish more easily.

INCREASE ATTENTION SPANS – The impulse to visit social network sites 24/7 leads to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. This can sometimes lead to depression and memory loss. Replace this tension with calmness and better focusing powers.

SEE THINGS FOR REAL – By only sharing happy, exciting things we don’t see life at it really is and the tendency to compare ourselves negatively with others which can damage self confidence and overall wellbeing.

GET MORE SLEEP – Just a quick check on Facebook before bed can lead to browsing, way past your bedtime.

Two hours a night is 14 hours a week, time that could be spent on a good night’s sleep and a real boost to your health.

VALUE PERSONAL CONTACT – Cutting internet ties can develop your emotional intelligence, which is a very valuable skill. It also makes nearby friends feel a lot closer, and interpersonal

friendships can be so much warmer and stronger.

future is something we should be anticipating carefully.

LIVEN UP A LONG WAIT – Believe it or not research shows boredom increased over the 30-minute bout of social media use during periods of waiting. Live people watching can be far more interesting and giving your brain some fuel with a puzzle or novel is a lot more uplifting than the same old, same old stuff that gets posted online..

IMPROVE ANGER MANAGEMENT – Harsh words and insults are easily hurled from behind a screen, and arguing on social media only makes you look bad. Taking yourself off the site all together and ignoring the fray reduces the emotional link and temptation to retaliate leaving you less upset.

OWN MY OWN MOTIVATIONS – You should never feel the need to compromise on your preferences talents and choices. Downplaying social media means less negative feedback and leaves you free to enjoy the courage of your convictions and be the person you want to be.

FORM MY OWN OPINIONS – Unavoidably, beliefs values and ideas are greatly influenced by social media, sometimes on very personal levels. For many people it is their only source of news. This ultimately limits all need or desire to look at things from several points of view, form any independent opinions or make any personal decisions. Where this might lead in the

BECOME A GOOD LISTENER – If your status updates, tweets, comments, image uploads are all shouting down what your friends are trying to tell you face to face, stop. Give people your full attention, hear what they are saying and comment (verbally of course) as honestly and meaningfully as you can.

Maintain eye contact and wait till they’ve finished before answering. A real friend provides an ear not a meme.

HELP OTHERS – At last, all those hours spent following an Oscar winner or watching a friend plant a yucca can be put to good use. You’ll no longer feel guilty at having no time to help all the people and organisations you know need support, and that really will be something worth posting....or not.

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DE-STRESSING and RELAXING, a point in the right direction In this case, a tiny needle point, acupuncture is not just for physical symptoms but also a revitalising treatment for the mind

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hen a year ends people are often determined not to let old baggage follow them into the next one. Doing some serious research and finding a recognised, qualified acupuncturist could be a way to dump the whole load without resorting to strong medications or invasive interventions.

The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture is not ordinarily associated with mindful therapies but its clients are full of praise for its ability to cut through a number of acute problems with emotional or mental causes.

Such problems, comprising psychological pressure and stress, invade the body resulting in uncomfortable symptoms, such as irregular breathing, anxiety, headaches and other aches and pains.

Acupuncture can create a ‘flow’ to promote health and wellbeing, removing the blockages of energy wherever these symptoms are evident. It works holistically on the mind and body so whatever reason you choose it, for the treatment gives a real sense of stillness and calm.

It is comforting to know how many conditions respond to acupuncture including anxiety, depression, fear,

insecurity, grief, lack of incentive and all the resulting emotions caused by these very real feelings.

Research proves that a person’s well-being can be improved through acupuncture as it stimulates the body’s own healing processes. This makes acupuncture an important part of an integrated health care plan. In cases of stress reduction the effects of acupuncture are far-reaching and very positive. Sessions can improve a patient's frame of mind and emotional state.

How acupuncture works

Acupuncture needles, placed in the appropriate points on the body, help to release blocked energy throughout the body, so the functions of the digestive and cardiovascular systems and the immune, endocrine and nervous systems, can be restored, resulting in a balanced energy flow that can lead to improved sleep, an elevated

mood, easier digestion, reduced pain and a greater sense of wellness.

There are several ways to stimulate acupressure points throughout the body. Heat, electrical stimulation and additional pressure can also be added to the needles to boost their effects on the body.

Traditionally, acupuncture is said to modify the flow of qi, or energy, throughout the body. But modern researchers also explain its effectiveness by showing how the needles used in an acupuncture session can actually influence the activity of adenosine in the body. Adenosine is an amino acid which is activated in a person’s skin as the result of an injury, in order to decrease pain. This might explain why so many people can enjoy muchneeded pain relief from acupuncture sessions.

The effects of acupuncture can be increased by combining it with other natural healing techniques, including bodywork therapies, herbal remedies and changes in diet.

The gentle and soothing practice of acupuncture is a noninvasive treatment that is suitable for anyone who seeks alternative or holistic treatments for their symptoms.

However, you should always inform your doctor if you are planning to take such treatment.

Getting back in SHAPE AFTER THE FESTIVITIES

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uring the festivities, as you know, the time spent sitting at the table is so long that you do not even get up between one course and another! Considering that festive meals are very often rich in carbohydrates, fats, sodium, sugar and alcohol, when consumed in abundance contribute to the increase in fat mass.

Hoping that the situation has not been so busy in your homes and that you have found time to do at least a walk between meals, remember, if you wish to get back into shape, you need to start from doing some physical activity and follow these simple tips: Drink water only! Drinking alcohol is harmful not only due to the high calorie content (7 Kcal/ml), but also it could damage your liver, thus to get back into shape drink plenty of water. Your liver, muscles, skin, kidneys, and your body in general will reap the benefits. In addition, drinking water increases the sense of satiety and you will eat less!

Introduce healthy foods! After the festive excesses, your body may naturally crave light and healthy foods, therefore, cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, spinach and even broccoli seem more appealing.

When doing your shopping, choose fruits and vegetables and

healthy snacks, such as yogurt and natural unsalted nuts.

Eat moderately! Try to eat 5 to 7 little meals a day, at least 3 portions of vegetables and 2 fruits a day. During the main meals try to reduce processed carbohydrates like white bread and pasta, by replacing them with whole grain products like, barely, oat and whole rice.

Never skip protein source, otherwise you will lose your lean mass! If you feel hungry, have a salad and include a protein source, like tuna, wild salmon, eggs or cold legumes. It is also recommended to consume legumes at least 5 to 6 times in a week in order to rebalance your microbiome by eliminating harmful substances accumulated. You should not consume cheese more than 3 times in a week, and do not consume eggs and red meat more than 1 time weekly. Malta is rich in fresh fish; feel free to have even 5 portions of wild fish weekly!

OPTIFAST by Nestlé Health Science represents a completely and balanced meal replacement that fits different people with different scientifically proven programs! It is rich in protein in order to preserve your muscle mass while your body metabolizes fats. OPTIFAST induces the sense of satiety and you are allowed to add even 2 portions of fruit in a day (depending on the program) and include green leafy vegetables as much as you wish.

OPTIFAST is a nutritionally complete meal replacement that helps you lose weight and keep healthy; it is available in practical and portable single serve sachets and

comes in 3 different flavours: Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry. OPTIFAST is available from all Pharmacies.

Ask your Doctor or Pharmacist for more information or visit www.optifast.com.

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health&mindfulness

Making SCENTS Retail THERAPY...

Not so much a shopping trip, more a valuable aid to social and emotional contentment.

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or those who are by no means shopaholics, an occasional extra trip to a favourite or new store can provide a real boost at times when we really need one. The secret is not to charge out to the shops, intent on compensating or rewarding ourselves the minute things take a downward turn. That way leads to disasters from ill-advised purchases to empty credit cards; not results guaranteed to lift our spirits.

We are influenced by so many negatives, from personal experiences and worldwide events, to the weather and anything else that seems beyond our power to improve, so it is not surprising how common retail therapy is. It is said over 60% of purchases made each week, are for feel good or cheering up reasons. This figure may be a loose estimate, but it cannot be far off the mark when even a small chocolate bar may be bought just to brighten a moment.

Items bought in the name of retail therapy are more likely to be personal treats, with the careful choices and deliberate decisions to buy them making them valued items, rather than things picked up in haste and quickly discarded. And this attraction can only increase with online shopping available 24/7.

The difficulty arises when retail therapy turns from an aid or distraction to an antidote for low self esteem, feelings of victimisation or to compensate

for whatever has gone wrong this time.

Yes, shopping for non-essential items and special treats is fun, whether you like browsing solo or joining up with friends or family on visits to huge complexes. However, anything you buy to take your mind off something bad cannot actually change anything. What it can do is provide a temporary focus from something bad onto something that improves our mood and takes the edge off whatever it is we could do without Ěś for a while at least.

When you do feel you need bit of retail therapy, only go to your favourite shops. Really study what’s on the shelves and rails.

Then buy not only what you love but something you know will still hold its attraction way into the future. You are, in fact, buying yourself a present that will become a reminder of a challenge you faced and ultimately overcame. This is because if you use these shopping trips as therapy in the true sense of the word, situations really will improve along with your mood and sentiments.

Then, by harnessing these small natural highs you can gradually build up the strength you need to face problems.

Whatever you do resist the temptation to by on impulse.

The anticlimax of realising that something you hoped would make you happy is ultimately awful will just make everything ten times worse! Try instead a virtual shop.

Go online, or into town, preferably with a close companion, and find as many items as you like that you could not possibly imagine ever wanting to own.

Visualise yourself wearing certain ornaments or different clothes and make-up, from normal. Wander through beautiful house shops mentally refurnishing your home, in a style you wouldn’t normally dream of.

Several hours can be spent in this shopping fantasy, no way will it break the bank and it will be so much fun that soon enough you may well feel ready to see your obstacles as options and discover you can cope with more than you knew.

A pleasant, familiar smell can be one of the most evocative ways to be reminded of past times and places and to reboot our senses.

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nything from the wax crayons we used as children to the sea, certain foods and specific perfumes can make us sigh with nostalgia or shudder at an unwelcome reminder.

Apparently, this is because the important effects of smell on the brain are a relic of the time when a good sense of smell could mean the difference between life or death for early man. With no technical early warning systems fire warnings came from smelling smoke. Before refrigeration or best-before-dating the risk of eating food that was going off was avoided when it began to stink. We still use smell more than we may be aware to identify different items and the condition they are in.

The cells in the nose that pick up smells are linked to the limbic system. This controls our

behaviour, emotions and long-term memory, and is one of the oldest parts of the brain where evolution is concerned. And, while the importance of a good sense of smell for early survival may have diminished, it still has the same effect on the brain, which is lucky because it can provide a great deal of pleasure.

This may also explain why certain smells can bring back long held, of even lost memories, like school ink and paints, polish, baking, animal fur, certain sweets and soaps, for example.

In fact, the power of particular smells to trigger specific memories is used in therapy to help recover lost memories. Such memories are often clearer and deeper, perhaps because the area of the brain that processes smell is linked directly with parts involved in emotion and memory.

Of course, people have differing ideas of what constitutes a nice or nasty smell and for some a really bad smell, or one conjuring up bad associations, can go as far as to drive them out of a room.

Keeping these aside, the good scents we come across or use whenever possible are a source of tranquility, reflection and joy, they can be comforting and calming as well as energising and revitalising.

On the wellbeing front, the smells of coffee and vanilla can have a calming effect. The scent of a rose lowers blood pressure and a quick sniff eucalyptus makes us more alert. There is clinical evidence that aromatherapy with lavender can slow the activity of the nervous system, promote relaxation, and lift the moods of people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, stress, and postoperative pain. And lavender also releases feelgood hormones making us happier. Spraying the scent of lavender during factory tea breaks in Japan has been shown to improve post-break production.

Peppermint and strawberry are good in helping concentration. Athletes who sniffed peppermint ran faster and were better focused than those who did not. And children did better in exams when surrounded by aroma of fresh strawberries.

Researchers have discovered how smells can influence dreams and romantic feelings and even urges such as those to drink or to gamble.

In Germany, men and women were exposed to the smell of either flowers or hydrogen sulphide, or to no smell at all. It's hardly surprising that those sleeping in pleasantly scented surroundings had sweet dreams and those subjected to the sulphur certainly did not.

Researchers are now testing to see if pleasant smells could reduce nightmares.

And, how often have you been lured into a shop by a smell of baking, scent, or coffee? Smells can affect what we buy and how much we spend.

Researchers in a US university found that 84% of shoppers found pairs of new shoes more attractive when they were displayed in a room which had a pleasant aroma. They also valued them at a higher price than an identical pair in a room with no smell. Something to consider as you head for the January sales.

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READING between the lines You may or may not believe in palm readers’ readings, but for certain people the lines on their hands indicate very distinctive characteristics.

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ctors Benedict Cumberbatch, Lynn Redgrave, Robert de Niro and Joaquin Phoenix, writer Henry Miller, Megan, Duchess of Sussex, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Lee Kuan Yew, first Prime Minister of Singapore are among those born with a simian line.

They are some of about 4% of people, worldwide who bear such a feature.

There are twice as many men than women, and among the Asian population the figure is as high as 7%.

It occurs when the head and heart lines are joined in a single, unbroken crease across the palm of one, or even less likely, both hands. In past, unenlightened times it was seen as something pretty abhorrent

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and linked to Simian monkeys, due to a similarity with the mix up of lines on the hands of primates.

Much later medical science threw its weight behind what it called a minor physical anomaly, and linked various syndromes and mental conditions with simian lines; although this is more in the way of a series of characteristics than a symptom or cause of any medical condition.

But, as this is a mindfulness and wellbeing supplement the focus here is on the heavy influence this line seems to have over the psychological personality of those who possess one.

Keeping in mind that it could be claimed there is no solid proof that any of these 'lines' are linked intrinsically to our behaviour or destiny, be on your guard

against the many who will want to 'read' costly interpretations, of how they can influence your life and future.

There are, however, some general and acceptable theories as to what it means to have a simian line which are interesting and may be helpful to anyone who has one. It is seen as a powerful gift. But it should come with a warning to handle it with care.

With the head and heart lines combined it can be expected that bearers of a simian line may have difficulty in separating emotions. And their capability of focusing totally on their ambitions or the success of whatever endeavors they pursue, coupled with intense emotions and sentimental feelings, often leaves them in danger of being misunderstood.

But they are actually extremely thoughtful and considerate and would always prefer to avoid conflict.

With their real gift for creativity they like to be involved in many and varied projects, And, while they apparently have more misfortune than others, they do have the energy to deal with extreme highs and lows.

As they also have a lot of inner struggle and a quiet life may not come easily they should pay close attention to the art of balancing the rules of heart and/or head.

This kind of focus can lead to adopting all sorts of ideas – a new religion, career or a lifestyle that offers a break with the old and a chance to embrace something

else entirely. Often there is a conflict between whether the head or the heart decides that these changes are necessary, and how they will take place.

Being aware of how others may interpret very definite or sentimental intentions will prevent them going over the top or getting frustrated. Sometimes they will need to concentrate on being patient and letting things take their course; and this they don't find easy. But, they should remember that it is better to feel so deeply than to feel hardly anything; and that inner depth can be an advantage.

If they can find a partner who understands their emotional makeup and the way they express it, they will enjoy a long and happy relationship. Certainly they will have made sure both the romantic and practical concerns had been carefully thought out.

Finally, Simian liners find most selfhelp books about feelings and emotions useless because they and the writers are not on the same page about either.

Identifying feelings or moving from an emotional state into an objective one doesn't come naturally to someone who has difficulty separating the two.

The easiest thing is probably to just accept the seemingly apposite aspects of this part of your DNA. Consider how its quirks can lead to a richer source of intuition, be advantageous in many ways and even have a very amusing side.

WE’RE IN THE X-FACTOR FINAL The news broke only a few weeks ago. Malta’s healthcare system

There might be those who legitimately suspect

technologies, scientific developments, and

that high level figures like these are

best practices.

misleading. The big picture achieved through

now ranks 9th in the world.

averaging, they argue, might hide a small

Yet none of this would have worked had

Encouragingly, our performance

number pockets of reality in which we are not

another key ingredient been missing. That our

improved enough over the

doing well, and perhaps dramatically so.

health care system ranks amongst the top ten in the world - that we reached the Global

previous year to help us overtake

Fortunately, this is not the case. Malta

Healthcare X-Factor Final - is a direct result of

yet another five other countries.

obtained full marks in ten of the indicators,

the competence and dedication of our

and over 80 marks in 28 of the others

workforce and the leadership and vision of our

Converting this simple fact into human terms

indicators. That’s topmost marks scored in 38

management teams. Without them, all our

makes the tangible reality even more

out of 41 indicators. We are doing particularly

ideas and policies would have remained on

staggeringly impressive: of the 7.7 billion

well across many of the indicators related to

paper and our drive and energy would have

people walking this earth, only those living in

communicable diseases and child

had to be kept bottled up. I would like to thank

eight other countries get better healthcare

development. Malta also scores well on health

everyone in the sector for doing their part to

than you do.

services related indicators.

achieve this, literally, world-class result.

Placed in a European context, the figures

After years of fire-fighting huge issues such as

A final word. None of this success tempts us in

become even more impressive: only the citizens

never-ending waiting lists and out-of-stock

the least to rest on our laurels. On the contrary,

of Sweden, the UK and the Netherlands enjoy a

medicines, bureaucracy and lack of

it will serve to intensify our efforts to aim even

better system than yours. None of this is political

investment, today’s health sector is speeding

higher. When we said that we wanted to be the

spin. These are facts and figures published in

along a well-chosen path, increasingly aspiring

best in the world we weren’t joking.

The Lancet, probably the most reputable

to higher levels of excellence, wider

medical journal in the world. It quoted the Global

accessibility and ever shorter lead times in all

Burden of Disease Study 2017 which is

health sectors.

coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, based in Seattle, Washington.

None of this happened by accident. As a

The study measures the overall performance

government and a ministry we have worked

across 41 health-related indicators of 195

assiduously to change where necessary, to

countries worldwide. Figures don’t get any more

nurture and build on what was working and to

credible than this.

adopt new policies in line with ever-changing

MR. CHRIS FEARNE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health