Busuttil’s well-deserved EU award

The news that Malta’s foremost MEP, Simon Busuttil, was one of the recipients of the MEP Awards 2012 in the Health Category was welcomed with immense pleasure not only locally but also on a European level. More importantly, Busuttil was honoured with this award in recognition of his sterling work related to diabetes.

Several people seemed surprised at his connection to health-related issues. His track record in the European Parliament as an all-rounder has put this hard-working MEP in contact with several issues that are of relevance and importance to civil society. Health is no exception.

Some questioned his connection with a health-related issue when his professional background is that of a lawyer and neither he nor his immediate family members suffer from this chronic health condition. Many would, therefore, ask why did Busuttil choose to advocate for the diabetes cause.

I have worked with Busuttil over the past few years after being elected president of the International Diabetes Federation – European Region (IDF Europe) in 2009. One of the principal aims of this federation is to lobby the European Parliament by engaging with MEPs who are ultimately representing 27 countries in the EU.

For this purpose, an EU Diabetes Working Group had been set up to serve as a platform to raise awareness on diabetes in the highest European institutions.

Upon the retirement of MEP John Bowis from the UK, who was one of the founding members of this group, we needed to urgently identify a suitable replacement. We wanted a dynamic MEP who had vision, enthusiasm, leadership and willingness to work for this important cause. Busuttil was my first and obvious choice.

I approached him and explained very clearly our aims and objectives. I was aware that he already had a highly demanding agenda so I was not too optimistic that he would accept to serve as one of the co-chairs of this important working group.

He immediately acknowledged that there is the urgent need to continue the work of this working group and gladly accepted to take up this challenge. He did this not as a matter of convenience but with conviction that he can really contribute to diabetes and this working group. Busuttil’s leadership and influence in the European Parliament among colleagues from all represented parties led him to securing a European Parliament resolution that was adopted almost unanimously last March.

This was a milestone for diabetes in Europe and it was thanks to Busuttil’s sheer determination and commitment that we managed to place diabetes as a priority health issue on the EU health agenda.

In his role as co-chair of the EU Diabetes Working Group he hosted and chaired several meetings on diabetes ranging from discrimination issues to life with diabetes and research.

Together with his highly-dedicated and closely knit team both in Brussels and Malta, he was always at the forefront to encourage MEPs to attend such meetings, particularly when he was aware that these people may have an interest in diabetes both on a professional and personal level.

Every November, he and his team organised the World Diabetes Day activities in the European Parliament, both in Brussels and Strasbourg, with IDF Europe.

Through his help and perseverance he managed to encourage his fellow peers to test their sugar levels and also attracted senior EU dignitaries to support this event including former European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek and Health European Commissioner John Dalli.

Busuttil also took an active role in supporting diabetes initiatives in Malta particularly those organised by the Maltese Diabetes Association. He has offered invaluable support on several issues such as reimbursement for medicines and medical supplies and discrimination.

He has on a number of occasions supported the Maltese Diabetes Association in organising a free blood glucose monitoring initiative to raise more awareness on diabetes and its complications. He led by example and was always the first to have his sugar levels tested.

His first reaction when receiving this prestigious award witnesses his altruism. He dedicated the award to the 51 million people living with diabetes in Europe. He believes in the cause; he fought for it and he achieved tangible results.

This award goes beyond partisan politics. As Maltese, irrespective of the political party we support, we should be immensely proud that a fellow Maltese has been given such an award. We should also be proud that two other Maltese MEPs – Edward Scicluna and Louis Grech – were shortlisted for awards in other categories.

This award will place diabetes as a priority issue in the EU. It will help to enhance the profile of this serious chronic condition often referred to as the “silent killer” as several people do not know that they have diabetes until it is too late.

In Malta, we ought to be grateful to Busuttil that he is advocating very strongly for a health condition that affects about 40,000 Maltese citizens or 10 per cent of our population.

It is also very appropriate that the first award of this nature to be received by a Maltese MEP was in connection with the efforts and hard work to advocate for a health condition highly predominant in Malta and often referred to as the “national illness”.

Busuttil did not only make Malta proud.

The International Diabetes Federation and all leading diabetes organisations in Europe welcomed the award with satisfaction.

This is not the end but the beginning and we should build on these successes to ensure diabetes continues to be given due recognition as a serious health issue in Europe and beyond.

The author is vice president (elect) of the International Diabetes Federation and vice president of the Maltese Diabetes Association.