Compilation of data on the health situation of the Maltese people should be sped up to better understand their needs, a World Health Organisation official said.

Speaking at the launch of the platform Social Determinants of Health, WHO social determinants manager Chris Brown said the €2.2 million being allocated to it should make compiling data easier for the local health authorities. In Malta, she noted, national data was required to properly understand the prevailing situation and, in turn, to draft policies.

Dr Brown called on politicians to use their positions of power and call in turn on the European Union to better address the needs in the health sector.

While statistics suggest some problems have become less common, obesity and alcohol and tobacco abuse have increased

“ ‘Policies’ and ‘action’ are nice words but we need change,” Dr Brown said, insisting that while statistics suggested that some health problems might have become less common in recent years, others had increased.

These included obesity issues, as well as conditions related to alcohol and tobacco abuse.

The Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds, Aaron Farrugia said the €2.2 million, 80 per cent of which had come from the EU and the rest from national funds, would be used to conduct research and analysis, as well as to train about 700 people.

The project also aimed to improve the quality of the public service, Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar said, noting there would be a specific focus on prevention measures.