Alternattiva Demokratika believes that there should be a greater emphasis on primary health care and prevention campaigns. Investment in health education campaigns should be accompanied by concerted and targeted efforts to improve the quality of the environment in urban areas, especially those affected by high levels of air pollution due to heavy traffic.

Speaking about the government’s promise of a breast screening programme, AD spokesperson for health and social protection Mary Anne Zammit said: ‘Breast screening is one measure which can help to detect disease, identify risks and save the lives of many. A breast screening programme had been included in the Budget for 2008, but to date those patients requiring a mammogram are being referred to the private sector, as they are being told that they have to wait up to one year for an appointment. This means that in practise there is no free health service. Those who cannot afford private health care have no other option but to wait or give up.’

Alternattiva Demokratika urges the Government to follow its obligations in the Cancer Screening Programmes in line with the European Commission Report on Cancer Screening and the European Parliament Resolutions on Breast Cancer which call for every woman in Europe to have the same first class early detection, diagnosis and aftercare irrespective of her social and economic background.

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