The 12th May is the FM-Fibromyalgia, ME-Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and CFS-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome International Awareness Day. Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party reiterated its call for inclusive social policies with regards to persons with ME and FM.
Dr. Claire Azzopardi Lane, AD spokesperson for Disability Issues and Sports, said: “AD believes that persons with ME and FM deserve basic rights, and not charity. For this reason, we will keep putting pressure on the authorities until the rights of people living with ME are recognised and met”.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “ME is not being considered as a disabling, physical and neurological condition (as defined by the World Health Organisation, code WHO-ICD-10-G93.3) by the authorities, even though patients are so impaired and some extremely debilitated”.
“Similarly, FM is not being recognized as chronic condition and as a disability by the Government”.
“Both FM and ME are not on the list of disabilities covered by the Maltese Social Security Legislation Act which would entitle them to a list of benefits and services, including financial assistance, free medication required to counteract the individual physical symptoms, amongst many others”.
“The least that the Government can do is grant basic rights to persons with ME and FM, and not keep excluding them from social benefits and services. This will help such persons counteract the difficulties, pain and suffering which they experience in their everyday lives”.
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Jum ta’ kuxjenza fuq l-ME u FM: AD favur drittijiet tal-Persuni b’ME u FM
It-12 ta Mejju hija l-gurnata ddedikata ghall-FM-ibromyalgia, ME-Myalgic Encephalomyelitis u CFS-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Alternattiva Demokratika reghet tenniet ghall-politika socjali inklussiva ghall-persuni b’ME u FM.
Dr. Claire Azzopardi Lane, Kelliema tal-AD dwar id-dizabilita’ u l-iSport, qalet: “AD temmen li persuni b’ME u FM haqqhom drittijiet bazici, u mhux karita’. Ghal din ir-raguni, se nkompli naghmlu l-pressjoni fuq l-awtoritajiet sakemm id-drittijiet tal-persuni jghixu bl-ME jigu rikonoxxuti u sodisfatti.”
Michael Briguglio, Chairperson tal-AD, qal: “ME mhux qed tigi kkunsidrata bhala kundizzjoni ta’ nkapaċitazzjoni, fizika u newrologika (kif inhi d-definizzjoni mill-World Health Organisation, kodici WHO-ICD-10-G93.3) mill-awtoritajiet, anke jekk xi pazjenti huma indeboliti u ohrajn dghajfa hafna. Bl-istess mod, FM mhux qed tigi rikonoxxuta bhala marda kronika u bhala dizabilita’ mill-Gvern.”
Kemm FM u ME mhumiex fil-lista ta’ dizabilitajiet koperti mill-Att tal-legislazzjoni Maltija tas-Sigurta’ Socjali li jintitolhom ghal-lista ta beneficji u servizzi, inkluz assistenza finanzjarja, medikazzjoni b’xejn biex jikkontrobattu is-sintomi individwali fost affarijiet ohra.”
“L-inqas haga li jista’ jaghmel il-Gvern hija li jaghti d-drittijiet bazici lil persuni b’ME u FM, u mhux jibqa’ jeskludijhom mill-beneficcji u servizzi socjali. Din se tghin lil persuni jikkontrobattu id-diffikultajiet, uġigħ u tbatija li jesperjenzaw fil-hajja taghhom ta kuljum.”
