"I find it so hard to discriminatorily talk of the importance of men’s health when ill health can hit anyone irrespective of gender. Even when we quote statistics to show that one gender is more susceptible to a disease than another, the one person that such a disease hits is as important no matter the gender she, he or it is or whether she/he/it is a minority or a majority member of the group.

I would therefore prefer to use this spotlight on me and my grown moustache (more of a beard than a moustache!) and redirect it on those of us (whether male, female or non-binary) and in particular towards colleagues, who are going through difficult times due to ill health and who to receive their treatment for a life treating condition has to depend on the charity of others.  

I call on the government to push for a society which supports and gives treatment as an entitlement and not a concession, a society that goes beyond charity but gives each person the dignity of living because it is his/her/they social right to live and be supported when life gives us pain.

I therefore dedicate my Movember beard to my colleagues (and others), no matter the gender, who are going through a life-threatening condition. I share with you your hope for better days and I cherish your friendship." 

- Dr Colin Calleja, Dean of the Faculty of Education

In order to raise more awareness on men’s health throughout the month of November, the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office has collaborated with a number of deans from across the Faculties, Institutes and Centres at the University of Malta.

Each of the participants joined the Movember challenge, grew a moustache, had their photo taken, and are hereby sharing a few words of reflection upon this important month. 

This is the fourth instalment of the On your mark, get set, MO! Campaign by the Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office.

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