[WATCH] ‘Obesity law proof of a pro-active Opposition’ – Busuttil

Busuttil says PN making a difference in people's lives. Video: Chris Mangion

A Bill aimed at tackling obesity is proof that the Nationalist Party can make a difference in people’s lives despite being in Opposition, PN leader Simon Busuttil said. 

“For the first time in Maltese history, Parliament is discussing a full law that was completely proposed by the Opposition,” Busuttil told a national obesity conference. “Politicians tend to be expert at designing slogans but fail at putting their words into practice. We want to disprove that and make a difference in people’s lives.”

This Bill proposes to render all school sports-related activities obligatory to all students, to offer child health courses to mothers-to-be and to establish a list of food items that will able to be sold at school canteens, day centers and old people's homes.

In his speech, Busuttil cited how the Opposition set up a working group of 11 MPs to come up with a strategy against diabetes, and how they have proposed a motion that will allow patients to get treated in private hospitals at the state’s cost if public health waiting-lists are too long.  

Busuttil warned that people living close to poverty are more likely to suffer from obesity.

“Unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food, and that is a problem that politicians must address,” Busuttil said. 

He argued a true solution to Malta’s obesity problem requires a mentality and cultural change.

“We still tend to associate over-eating with health,” Busuttil said.