An office of the National Cancer Platform was opened today at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.
The Platform was set up under the auspices of the president last year. It groups the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, ALIVE Charity Foundation, Aurora Support Service, Europa Donna Malta, Hospice Malta, Karl Vella Foundation, Lumiere Support Group, The Malta Community Chest Fund, Malta Male Cancer Awareness, Malta Health Network, Malta Colorectal Cancer Awareness Group, Malta Ostomy Association, Puttinu Cares and Survivors Malta, all of which are involved in cancer-related activities.
The President toured the oncology centre and met patients and staff.
She said that while Malta was fortunate to have a free medical service, NGOs still had an important role in it.
The President also inaugurated a help desk through which people had reach the Platform.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne, who said that 'nurse navigators' are being appointed to assist patients from one stage of their treatment to another.