The President of Malta, H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, visited the University of Malta’s Faculty of Health Sciences, where she met students and staff. Professor Angela Xuereb Anastasi, Dean of the Faculty, welcomed the President and showed her around the various laboratories. 

In her welcome speech, Prof. Xuereb Anastasi pointed out that this was the University’s second largest Faculty and one of the youngest, having been given Faculty status only six years ago. Before then, it was known as the Institute of Health Care, which was set up by Prof. John Rizzo Naudi at the University of Malta, for the education and training of health care professionals.

1300 students are following studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate level within twelve departments: Applied Biomedical Science, Communication Therapy, Food Studies and Environmental Health, Health Services Management, Medical Physics, Mental Health, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Radiography. 

Prof. Xuereb Anastasi said that the large number of students reflected the popularity of the programmes that respond to the country’s need for health care professionals. ‘These professionals all have at heart the care of the patient – and it is this aim that makes these professionals so noble,’ she commented. 

Addressing the students in a packed auditorium, the President stated that it was always so very encouraging to witness young people who were committed to their chosen professions. ‘As allied health professionals, you will be delivering crucial services of benefit to the people of these islands,’ the President said. ‘We need to continue to consolidate the necessary synergies between the various caring, medical and social disciplines,’ she added.

‘In order to deliver these necessary services, I encourage you, even while you are still students, to be aware of the great opportunities that synergies can bring to your professions and the people you serve. It is vital that different practitioners find innovative ways for mutual support and collaboration with their peers. Our goal must be the provision of co-ordinated systems of holistic and integrated care,’ the President commented. She concluded by reminding the students that their life as University students was also about being active citizens.