AD calls for chronic fatigue syndrome ME to be officially recognised as disability

Bernardette Mercieca, Alternativa Demokratika Spokesperson for Health, said ME - a debilitating neurological condition that leaves patients suffering from multiple disabilities - wass now clearly linked with a retrovirus (XMRV) and Malta's health authorities have already banned blood donations from people with ME.

"The health authorities should further put an end to the injustice sufferers face with regards to the services and benefits which should be theirs by right," Mercieca said.
 
AD chairperson Michael Briguglio said AD believed that the Maltese government should entitle ME sufferers the social rights and benefits they deserve.

"Social inclusion should not be denied to such persons. The government should provide equal access to quality medical treatment for all patients without discrimination. For example, ME patients should be given the same support and access in cross-border care as is given to sufferers of other conditions for which treatment is not available locally."
 
AD also called on the government to allocate funds for appropriate education and training of doctors and other healthcare professionals that would enable them to diagnose ME patients at an early stage and advise them on appropriate forms of health management.