A Technical Agreement was signed in recent days between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Malta aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sector of transfusion activities.
The agreement, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Blood Centre, and by the Maltese Ministry of Health and Active Ageing, establishes the commitment by Italy to support the Malta in the event of emergency situations linked to epidemiological factors, natural disasters or any adverse events involving the only transfusion service active in the Maltese territory and at the same time, promotes the ethical and correct use of plasma in order to avoid waste of the raw material itself to be used for the production of life-saving plasma-derived drugs.
The agreement, which will last five years and is automatically renewable for another five, reaffirms the joint commitment of Italy and Malta to promote self-sufficiency in blood and blood components and the principles of solidarity in healthcare and efficiency in the management of blood and blood components, in full compliance with European and national regulations on the protection of personal data and healthcare security.
Vincenzo De Angelis director of the Italian National Blood Centre, commented: “The signing of this agreement reaffirms once again the principles of solidarity on which the Italian blood system has always been based and gives way to a strategic partnership that strengthens relations between the two countries also in view of the major changes that will involve the health systems of all of EU Member States in the space of two years, when the new SoHO Regulation will be applied.
Joseph Chetcuti, Permanent Secretary of Maltese Ministry of Health and Active Ageing, also stressed out that “Italy’s support will provide Malta with vital medical resources and this agreement will be the continuation of a collaboration based on shared values and a common vision for a safer and healthier future”.