The Health Systems and Policy Monitor network (HSPM) annual meeting was held at the University of Malta Valletta campus between 17 and 18 October 2019. The meeting was organised by Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Health 福利在线免费 Management, who is the local focal point of the network. Dr Roberta Sammut, Dean of the Faculty of Health Science opened the meeting.
This annual meeting brought together participants from 30 countries, including participants from the World Health Organisation, the European Commission and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
Countries exchanged information on current health policy and health systems reforms. Investment and innovation in Primary Health Care, Mental Health, and Palliative care were among the key priorities discussed. Cross-country and longitudinal comparisons of the reforms discussed were assessed for emergent trends in health policy. Universal Health Coverage in high and middle-high income countries was a key topic addressed during the meeting.
Dr Azzopardi Muscat presented the ongoing work on the development of the National Health Strategy for Malta 2020+. This will address the health system response to Malta鈥檚 recent demographic and social changes as well as the advances in health research and technologies. Substantive gains in life expectancy coupled with rising incidence and prevalence of diseases such as diabetes, mental health, HIV, sexually transmitted infections and cancers place increasing demand on the health services.
The need to rebrand health and employ innovation was put forward by Dr Miriam Dalmas. Various prerequisites were highlighted such as training of a digitally literate work force, exposure to cross-border skills and initiation of a research registry.
The 2019 Mental health strategy presented by Dr Annalise Borg focused on the promotion of mental well-being for all, enhanced support and strengthening the workforce. The importance of reducing stigma for effective implementation was emphasised.
Other topics covered included e-cigarette policies, dental care, analysis on hospital sector reforms and allocation of funds across payer agencies in OECD countries.
