Your Health by APFD

27/10/2021

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30/09/2021

20/09/2021

Budget 2021 Proposals for Primary Healthcare

19/09/2021

Family doctors can do more if they are given more tools, the Association of Private Family Doctors and the Malta College of Family Doctors said in their proposals for the Budget. In a joint statement, they encouraged decision-makers to fully roll-out the national electronic patient health records...

04/08/2021

All pregnant women are encouraged to get vaccinated against Covid-19, as per the recent statement by the Malta College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists below.

They can go to University Gateway Building preferably between noon and 2pm after discussing it with their gynae. You will not be asked to wait in the queue. It is best to call 145 to pre-book.

Statement by the Malta College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

18/05/2021

Press Release

World Family Doctors’ Day – 19th May 2021

The Malta College of Family Doctors (MCFD) is a Voluntary Organisation (VO/0973) that strives to improve the academic and clinical performance of specialists in family medicine (known as “ittobba tal-familja” or “family doctors” or “general practitioners”) and the standards of primary health care in our country.

The Association of Private Family Doctors (APFD) is a Voluntary Organisation (VO/1803) that strives to improve family medicine and primary health care in our country on behalf of the private
family doctors (known as “it-tobba tal-familja” or “general practitioners”) and their patients.

The MCFD and APFD praise the self-discipline and social solidarity shown by many citizens of Malta and Gozo in heeding the recommendations of the Public Health authorities in the national
efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, so that the livelihoods of families are preserved whilst the health services are not over-run.

Both Voluntary Organisations point out to the general public that the family doctors have remained available to preserve the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of all citizens. Within a vision of wellbeing family doctors and other primary care providers help to strengthen the health system and provide high quality and affordable care to all.

Family doctors were amongst the first to be involved in the efforts against COVID-19 whilst continuing to tackle all the other medical conditions which affect the health of those involved and their families. They did so by keeping their traditional approach centred around people, whilst embracing new technologies which emerged as fundamental tools for healthcare professionals to continue their mission.

Family doctors continue to provide ongoing support to patients and their communities, thus ensuring continuity of care over lifetime. Continuity of care is one of the key pillars for a long
healthy life.

Finally, the MCFD and the APFD encourage our society in general to discard the cliché return to normal promoted by some sectors and instead push and shove for a proper normal, where wellbeing
is at the centre of future policies and actions.

Notes

1. World Family Doctor Day,19th May, was first declared by WONCA in 2010 and it has become a day to highlight the role and contribution of family doctors in health care systems around the world. The event is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the
central role of our specialty in the delivery of personal, comprehensive and continuing health care for all of our patients. It is also a chance to celebrate the progress being made in family medicine and the special contributions of family doctors globally.

2. WONCA is an acronym for the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians. WONCA's short name is World Organization of Family Doctors. The Mission of WONCA is to improve the quality of life of the peoples of the world through defining and promoting its values, including respect for universal human rights and including gender equity, and by fostering high standards of care in general practice/family medicine. https://www.globalfamilydoctor.com

Dr Edward Zammit Dr Anthony Azzopardi
Honorary President MCFD Honorary President APFD

WONCA is the World Organization of Family Doctors, with 118 Member Organizations representing over 500,000 family doctors in over 130 countries and territories around the world, and working in partnership with the World Health Organisation.

09/05/2021

May is Coeliac Awareness Month and for this week we will be giving more information on this important condition which affects 1% of the population.

Coeliac disease is when a person develops an immune response for gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, spelt, barley and rye. This results in inflammation and damage to the small intestine and leads to various health problems related to nutrient deficiencies and digestive problems.

Common symptoms include the following:

- bloating, gas
- iron deficiency anaemia
- diarrhoea or constipation
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- failure to thrive in children
- fatigue
- depression

It can easily be picked up by a simple blood test, sometimes even just a pin prick, and confirmed on gastroscopy.

Treatment involves simply following a strict gluten free diet and having regular blood tests to check for the immune levels.

It is important to diagnose Coeliac disease properly and by trained medical doctors as it is not simply a gluten intolerance. Untreated, undiagnosed Coeliac disease, even asymptomatic, can have serious consequences on a person's health later on in life, notably increased risk of malignancy.

02/05/2021

As more and more people are getting vaccinated and receiving appointments, GPs are often getting a number of questions. Here is a brief list of FAQs that we commonly encounter

1. Can I take my medications on the morning of my appointment?

Yes, you should continue taking your daily regular medication as usual

2. Should I take paracetamol before I go for the vaccine?

Side effects from the vaccine are expected to start around 6 hours after vaccination. If paracetamol is taken before vaccination the effect would have worn off by the time any side effects might start, so repeated doses of paracetamol are necessary. However there is nothing wrong if one wants to start paracetamol before.

3. Does everyone get side effects? Can you tell from before who is going to be affected most?

Not everyone gets side effects and there is no way of telling who will.

4. What should I expect as side effects?

The most common side effects are at redness and pain at injection site, whilst some people might experience fatigue, headache, nausea, fever and muscle pains. These effects should wear off in 2-3 days.

5. Can I drink alcohol in the days after the vaccine?

Yes, in moderation and not with other medication as per usual recommendations.

6. Can I just have 1 dose of the vaccine?

The second dose serves to further boost the immunity and give better protection for longer. By having just one dose you do not have the full immunity therefore you might be still prone to get severe infection.

7. I have or have had Covid infection. How long do I have to wait before getting my vaccine.

Current recommendations after covid infection state 4 weeks.

8. I have another sickness on the day of the vaccination. Should I still go for my shot?

Minor ailments are not contraindications to getting the vaccine. If however you have a severe infection on antibiotics or are acutely ill, you should postpone having the vaccination until you are feeling better.

15/04/2021

Position Statement on Strengthening the Legal Framework on the Responsible Use of Cannabis (White paper March 2021)

The Association of Private Family Doctors (APFD) supports the views of other organizations that have already issued a position statement on the legalization of responsible use of cannabis, namely the Association of Psychiatry in collaboration with Caritas Malta, Sedqa and Oasi Foundation, and the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine.

The Association recognizes the need for decriminalization of the possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use, however it is felt that legalizing its use will lead to an increase in its overall consumption and a potential increase in use of other illicit drugs. Moreover, use of cannabis in adolescents and young adults whose brain is still developing has been proven to have more harmful effects than consumption by people above this age, and it is also in this age group that the risk of dependance and move towards harder illicit drugs is more likely. Therefore as an Association, we would like to propose the introduction of minimum age for legalizing the personal use of cannabis. Furthermore, allowing the cultivation of cannabis plants in homes will inevitably make cannabis more accessible to minors and young adults living at home, posing a real risk of starting the use at a younger age than expected. We need to shield our younger generation from this risk.

In this context of eventual future legalization, the APFD would also like to suggest a focus on increasing educational campaigns targeted at adolescents and younger adults in an attempt to limit the recreational use of the drug. This is in the interest of better mental and physical health of our younger generation and community overall. Alcohol and ci******es are legal but account for considerable morbidity and mortality in our communities. Similarly it must be stressed that cannabis use can have harmful effects and being natural does not mean it is free from ill-effects.

Nevertheless, public campaigns aiming at destigmatization by society of cannabis users may lead to better reporting of undesirable effects from individual users and encouraging seeking help for such effects earlier, thereby allowing for better provision of care and improved overall health.

Furthermore the APFD would like to suggest continued investment in rehabilitation services, support services and community outreach services for users, which as we are all aware are already present and functional. Continued support is the key.

13/04/2021

Now that many people are getting vaccinated, here's a quick reminder not to let our guard down!

11/04/2021

The Association of Private Family Doctors would like to make the following announcement.

In response to yesterday's press conference we have been informed that interested family doctors will eventually be able to provide covid vaccination to their patients, starting from those who are above 50 years of age.

To date, we do not have any other information on the vaccination process and rollout, but we should have all the details in the coming days. When we do, we will inform the public, so one can then make arrangements with his private doctor.

May we also remind the public that one can also opt to take it for free through government centres by booking on https://vaccin.gov.mt/

______________________________________

L-Assoċjazzjoni tat-Tobba tal-Familja Privati (APFD) tixtieq tagħmel din l-istqarrija.

Wara l-konferenza stampa li saret ilbieraħ, ġejna infurmati li dawk it-tobba tal-familja privati li huma interessati, se jkunu jistgħu jagħtu t-tilqima tal-Covid lill-pazjenti tagħhom li għandhom ‘l fuq minn 50 sena.

S’issa għad m’għandiex informazzjoni dwar kif it-tilqim se jkun imqassam, iżda għandu jkollna iktar dettalji fil-ġranet li ġejjin. Meta jkollna din l-informazzjoni se ninfurmaw lill-pubbliku biex dak li jkun jagħmel l-arranġamenti meħtiega mat-tabib tiegħu.

Infakkrukom li dawk li ma jixtiqux jieħdu t-tilqima mingħand it-tabib tagħhom, jistgħu jeħduha b’xejn fiċ-ċentri tal-gvern billi jibbukkjaw fuq https://vaccin.gov.mt/

This portal allows Maltese ID card holders to register their interest with public health authorities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

11/04/2021

The Association of Private Family Doctors would like to make the following announcement.

In response to yesterday's press conference we have been informed that interested family doctors will eventually be able to provide covid vaccination to their patients, starting from those who are above 50 years of age.

To date, we do not have any other information on the vaccination process and rollout, but we should have all the details in the coming days. When we do, we will inform the public, so one can then make arrangements with his private doctor.

May we also remind the public that one can also opt to take it for free through government centres by booking on https://vaccin.gov.mt/

______________________________________

L-Assoċjazzjoni tat-Tobba tal-Familja Privati (APFD) tixtieq tagħmel din l-istqarrija.

Wara l-konferenza stampa li saret ilbieraħ, ġejna infurmati li dawk it-tobba tal-familja privati li huma interessati, se jkunu jistgħu jagħtu t-tilqima tal-Covid lill-pazjenti tagħhom li għandhom ‘l fuq minn 50 sena.

S’issa għad m’għandiex informazzjoni dwar kif it-tilqim se jkun imqassam, iżda għandu jkollna iktar dettalji fil-ġranet li ġejjin. Meta jkollna din l-informazzjoni se ninfurmaw lill-pubbliku biex dak li jkun jagħmel l-arranġamenti meħtiega mat-tabib tiegħu.

Infakkrukom li dawk li ma jixtiqux jieħdu t-tilqima mingħand it-tabib tagħhom, jistgħu jeħduha b’xejn fiċ-ċentri tal-gvern billi jibbukkjaw fuq https://vaccin.gov.mt/