Alternattiva Demokratika has expressed its support of the call by ME Sufferers Malta for the government to include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in the list of disabilities covered by the Maltese Social Security Legislation Act.

Bernardette Mercieca – Alternativa Demokratika Spokesperson for Health, said, "M.E. is a debilitating neurological condition that leaves patients suffering from multiple disabilities. The disease is now clearly linked with a retrovirus (XMRV) and Malta’s health authorities have already banned blood donations from people with M.E. The Health Authorities should further put an end to the injustice sufferers face with regards to the services and benefits which should be theirs by right."

AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio added, "Alternattiva Demokratika believes that the Maltese government should entitle ME sufferers the social rights and benefits they deserve. Social inclusion should not be denied to such persons."

"The Government should provide equal access to quality medical treatment for all patients without discrimination. For example, ME patients should be given the same support and access in cross-border care as is given to sufferers of other conditions for which treatment is not available locally."

"AD also calls on the government to allocate funds for appropriate education and training of doctors and other health care professionals that would enable them to diagnose ME patients at an early stage and advise them on appropriate forms of health management."

What is ME?

ME, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, is a devastating and extremely complex illness that affects millions of people around the world.

The devastating loss of energy and stamina, Which is so characteristic of ME, is very different from the fatigue felt by healthy people following strenuous exercise or the effects of stress.

The totally incapacitating fatigue of ME is coupled with multiple symptoms in many of the body’s organs and systems. These symptoms are made worse by any physical and/or mental activity and are not relieved by rest. Therefore, a ME patient’s ability to function is drastically reduced.

ME is recognized by the World Health Organisation and the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention as a complex physical disorder, not a psychiatric disorder, as was previously believed by some doctors.

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