Free aerobics classes could have saved millions
Various letters published on local papers have recently shown the great disappointment for the abrupt stopping of free aerobics to music evening classes.
During the past year, the Health Promotion Department (HPD) was offering free aerobics classes to all Maltese citizens. These proved to be very popular and successful. This was made possible by the generosity of six local councils that offered their spacious premises for this short-lived great initiative. The councils that participated were: Birkirkara, Mosta, Naxxar, Floriana, Fgura and Zejtun. These councils understood that Malta has high rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even depression, all of which can be lowered by regular physical activity. Furthermore, they even extended their generosity by permitting residents from other localities in Malta and Gozo to make use of their facilities.
Each aerobics class consisted of 16 free one-hour sessions spread throughout a period of not less than eight weeks. Each group could hold about 20 or more participants. All that HPD was paying for was the remuneration of the aerobics instructors.
As a sports doctor I assure the government that these ongoing aerobics classes were going to save millions of Euros from the financial burden on Mater Dei for the simple reason that it is medically proved that regular physical activity helps lower these non-communicable diseases mentioned above. As the old saying goes, "prevention is better than cure".
Unfortunately, we have very short-sighted, money-minded health authorities that took a foolish decision to abruptly stop this free service early this year without at least having the decency to inform the general public by issuing a press release. This means that people still kept on applying for these aerobics classes and hence had to do a medical clearance certificate before applying. Such certificates can easily fetch €10 and are very rarely done by health centre doctors for the simple reason that the doctor needs to know their medical history.
The irony is that presently the HPD is sending a booklet to medical doctors titled, "Physical Activity: A Guide for Professionals". This booklet lays particular emphasis on the importance of aerobics as the "best form of exercise to control weight and keep heart healthy". The same booklet says: "regular physical activity is a cost-effective way of improving and maintaining people's health".
I therefore urge the government to reconsider seriously the decision it is making if it does not want further people to visit Mater Dei and end up taking more expensive medicines as well. Last but not least, an article on a paper gave serious doubts that this service may restart but at a price! The first step is to, at least, have the decency of removing the application forms from the SAHHA website and inform the WHO that the classes have been stopped as they keep on proclaiming them as a ongoing success story!!
I finally want to stress on the fact that the professional way the exercise to music classes were conducted with regular monitoring of the participants' health progress in addition to the medical filtering before one applied (for the ultimate benefit of the patient's health after all) is more the prerogative of the Ministry of Social Policy (Health) rather than that of any sport authority.
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Dr Etienne Grech
May 27th 2009, 16:24
Much support and gratitute for kirill's efforts in the ever-important fields of sports, health, animal rights, youth and education. I agree the withdrawal of aerobics classes has been a blunder by the department of health. If the govt has the money so that with the strike of a pen , 4000000 euros pop out of the country's coffers as an additional expense for hospital parking and security contract top-ups, then the country could have easily afforded the aerobic classes. Aerobics is an exercise not just a sport . No wonder all the talk and articles being published about healthy lifestyles to prevent disease. The excuse that the courses can be done using other funds by local councils does not hold water. Local councils have to use these limited funds for All kinds of sports and all its inherent infrastructure in the locality.
Kirill keep up your good work and all the best!!
Albert Spiteri
May 27th 2009, 16:16
Whether we like it or not, sports has become an integral part of today's society. Except in Malta. In Malta we view sports as that activity which one does when one has the time to burn. Actually, sport is a great contributor to a country's economy, even in the short run. A population that practices sports spends less on healthcare, produces better students, happier and more satisfied working force. Sport promotes better values and life priorities amongst the younger generations.
Dr. Kirill Micallef Stafrace is right in what he says and he will be getting my first choice in the coming MEP elections. Keep it up Dr. Micallef Stafrace. Malta needs a person of your calibre and solid values representing us in the European Parliament.
Carmelo Micallef
May 27th 2009, 14:57
The Aerobics in certain local councils was a wonderful initiative and should not be politicized. It was initiated by this present government and it was so good that even opposition candidate Kirill Micallef Stafrace seems to like this great idea.
People who say that aerobics is sports are making a mistake. I see aerobics as an exercise medicine that prevents several medical conditions from cropping up. These include: heart disease, diabetes (type 2), obesity, osteoporosis, anxiety & depression. It is true that one can do exercises on his/her own, but when you engage with a group or class, then you will make it a point not to miss out your training. A group also helps you to socialize and hence alleviate symptoms of depression.
Alex Spiteri
May 27th 2009, 14:35
@Kirill Micallef Stafrace...thanks for replying to my comment. Believe me, I’m one of the few who actually believe in the importance of sports and physical exercise, beside of course arts and culture. Personally i see them more importantly than economics, as all mentioned aspects represent a healthy, vibrant and creative society, whilst the stress on economics is only turning people’s life into a continuous rat-race.
We never had a significant sports program for this country, neither the required investment to support such program and i don’t see how we can have it in the near future. The government’s vision to sport is only limited to appoint some ‘new kid on the block’ as secretary for sports, even though his experience in sports is only that of chairing some football club presidency in order to get a few votes from the village.
Maybe i have to apologise for my harsh comment on ur behalf and acknowledge the fact that at least you’ve mentioned sports in your campaign. However, i believe there are plenty of urgent matters to be addressed at the present time. Beside the fact that sports must be addressed locally!
and i'm no fan of Sheffield United!
Regards
Roberto Vella
May 27th 2009, 14:20
We have the Uk health authorities embarking on a campaign in favour of regular exercise (life) as a means to reduce diseases such as those mentioned by Kirill Micallef Stafrace and what do such people do? Try to shoot down a similar argument simply because it is coming from a PL candidate! When will you learn to be objective?
There's a multitude of research out there on how preventive measures such as those submitted by Micallef Stafrace actually help reduce the health care costs' burden, if only you could spare some time to read. And I'd rather attempt this option hoping to better manage long term healthcare costs than adopt the option this government seems intent on adopting - charging the patient. So much for solidarity! You are cornered just when you need the most assistance
Kirill Micallef Stafrace
May 27th 2009, 13:07
@ Alex
You are very right in stating that sports has been neglected over the years, except if you are a fan of Sheffield United. Most of our local success stories are due to the association's, club's or individual's hard work.The Health Division had started a good thing with these free aerobic classes, after all you have to start somewhere. Hence, the perplexity why they were stopped suddenly without an explanation.
Believe me, sports is an integral part of my life, both professional and personal
Regarding
Joe Micallef
May 27th 2009, 13:07
Wonder Wonder what are the vested interest in this claim! Maybe that aerobics can lead to injuries.
"........money-minded government" who's on about deficit! My uncle...
Get serious would you! Well from someone who supported the idea of taking a ballot box to Cyprus.......
Alex Spiteri
May 27th 2009, 10:48
so we're going to solve the nation's problems with aerobic classes?!?! i wonder how low can this new-political class go!
not even one politician has a clue in regards to a program for sports the country. not even someone who has come out from a sports organisation!