The Manifesto for Children, launched by the Office of the Commissioner for Children earlier this year, was an initiative aimed at increasing the awareness of matters requiring urgent attention with regards to children. Children’s needs require immediate consideration, and in this respect the Office of the Commissioner for Children constantly strives to bring these needs to the attention of relevant key actors.

As part of an ongoing effort to create public dialogue on what children need, as well as receive public feedback on key issues concerning children, the Office of the Commissioner for Children have been organizing public seminars every three weeks on the topics raised in the Manifesto for Children, in order for recommendations put forward to be informed by public consultations.

On Wednesday 13th August, the seminar taking place will focus on the subject of health, and the improvements which are required in this sector with regards to children. With one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe (approx. 55% at the point of discharge from hospital after delivery), and one of the highest rates of obesity in the world (a study on obesity amongst 34 countries in 2005 revealed Malta as having the highest prevalence of overweight youth with 25.4%), there are significant steps which need to be taken in order for the general situation of child health to improve. In certain areas, some statistics are lacking, thus increasing the difficulty in tackling these issues adequately. A recent HSBC (Health Behaviour of School-Aged Children) study failed to collect sufficient data on the sexual behaviour of young people, after church schools were instructed by the Curia not to fill in the questions related to intercourse, the contraceptive pill, and condom use. In such circumstances and without such statistics, it is increasingly difficult for sex education to be provided to secondary school children, and for such education to be effectively tailored to their needs.

Another issue requiring urgent attention is children’s access to medical care. The fact that there is currently no set minimum age for medical counseling without parental consent, and no provision for the controlled, supervised, and safe administration of medicines in schools, act as obstacles which hinder the child from receiving the medical care which they are entitled to. The lack of specialized staff is also cause for concern, given that Malta is in desperate need of more resources in the form of child psychologists and pediatric staff, amongst others.

Medical services in themselves should be improved and expanded upon in order to be in line with other EU countries. Vaccinations such as those protecting children against polio and whooping cough have been replaced by newer and safer vaccines in other EU countries, whilst some others (e.g. strep. pneumoniae) are only available privately. With regards to the National Screening programme for babies, babies are currently only screened for thalassemia and hypothyroidism, whilst other countries screen for many other illnesses.

These issues are amongst those which will be discussed at the public seminar taking place on Wednesday 13th August 2008. The seminar will be held at the Office of the Commissioner for Children, Centru Hidma Socjali, 469 St. Joseph High Road, Santa Venera, and will run from 17.30 until 19.30pm. Following a 15 minute presentation by Ms. Anne Marie Mangion, the floor will be open for discussion where participants will discuss Health in relation to children. The Office of the Commissioner for Children invites professionals, NGO’s, the public, parents, and children to be present for the discussion and improve the situation of children in this regard.

If you are interested in sharing your views as to how the current health system can be improved in order to better protect children, the Office of the Commissioner for Children encourages you to attend, voice your opinion, and make your recommendations known. Everyone is welcome. For more information, or to reserve a place, please contact the Office of the Commissioner for Children on 21 485180 or sharon.a.attard@gov.mt .

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