Pandemic boosts demand for mental health services by 500%

Nov 26 2021

The demand for mental health services shot up a whopping 500% throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed the Richmond Foundation. Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Dimech Sant revealed that the pandemic affected people from all contexts and over an extended period of time.

Dimech Sant revealed how the impact on people’s mental health in Malta was ‘astounding’. ‘Some with anxiety about going back to the office, some with depressive symptoms developed while working from home, others are anxious about their business slowing down.’She also highlighted the impact on young children whose school routines was disrupted because of COVID-19. This prompted Richmond to expand its free services as people reached out at an overwhelming rate.

She revealed this during a press conference, with the ‘Gift of Therapy’ campaign asking individuals and companies for donations as the demands increase. ‘The average number of requests over a 10 year period stood at between 400 and 600, but this shot up to 4,500 in 2020.’ She also mentioned Olli.chat, an online chat service which has already seen 1,250 requests. Face to face follow up meetings also saw a 900% increase over 6 months.

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Photo Source: Healthline

Ian Borg unveils new stunning €2.3 million Ta’ Qali ‘Adventure Park’

Nov 26 2021

The first part of the Malta National Park project, the ‘Adventure Park’, was unveiled by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg.

Speaking at a press conference, the minister inaugurated the first part of this multi aspect project to renovate the area into a family friendly space.

The Minister said how this is an investment of about €2.3 million which will be forming part of the rest of the projects which will continue to transform the national park.

He also spoke about how in the past few months, work was being done to give future generations modern, secure and accessible playing equipment, new lighting systems and even sanitary facilities. The project also includes the planting of hundreds of trees and bushes in the area.

‘From an abandoned empty space to a space which captivates people’s attentions’ said the Minister. What do you think?

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Photo Source: Ian Borg FB

Gasan Mamo’s new portal makes all your insurance needs accessible!

Nov 26 2021

GasanMamo, one of Malta’s leading insurance companies, has announced the launch of its new client’s portal which brings massive perks and benefits. The portal allows customers to pay and renew their insurance policies, entirely online.

In line with GasanMamo’s digitisation strategy, this is the next step in the brand’s journey to enter the digital domain as it progresses steadily over the past few years.

It brings together all of what the company’s current client services – including getting a quote, buying, renewing and opening a claim. But there’s more as it includes several additional features such as logging into a secure environment to find a personalised dashboard for quick access to view all current policies.

Other features include reviewing personal details and retrieving any insurance details one requires. Upon registration and log in, clients will also find it easier and quicker to buy or renew an insurance product.

With a new updated and revamped design to fill in line with the brand, the website and portal have been optimised to make it easily accessible on mobiles and tablets.

GasanMamo Insurance general manager said that ‘the launch of this portal reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, accessible long-term solutions and new, easier ways for policyholders to engage with us.’

“By providing clients with the ability to manage policies and initiate and monitor a claim online, we aim to enhance the customer experience and increase transparency for policy owners and their families.”

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Photo Source: Gasan Mamo Communications

Around 860 over 60s saved by COVID vaccines in Malta

Nov 26 2021

Following a World Health Organisation report that states how COVID-19 vaccination saved nearly half a million lives in less than a year, Health Minister Chris Fearne revealed that 860 deaths in the over 60s were saved due to the jab in Malta.

A new study by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control estimates that 470,000 lives have been saved among those aged 60 years and over.

This estimate does not include lives saved by vaccinating people under 60 nor lives saved from indirect effect of vaccination because of a reduction in transmission.

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, says that despite COVID exacting a devastating death toll in our region, ‘we can categorically say that without COVID-19 vaccines as a tool to contain this pandemic, many more people would have died.’

“The COVID-19 vaccines are a marvel of modern science, and what this research shows is that they’re doing what they promised, that is saving lives, offering very high protection against severe illness and death.’

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Photo Source: BioWorld, Chris Fearne FB