The 4th National Colloquium on Research in Rare Disease was held on Monday 26 February to mark Rare Disease Day 2018 and create awareness about rare disorders among healthcare professionals and policy makers. The Colloquium was held with the support of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Prof Godfrey LaFerla and the Director of the Centre of Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Prof Richard Muscat. Professor Godfrey Baldacchino, Pro-Rector International Development and Quality Assurance, Hon Chris Fearne, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Health and Ms Michelle Muscat, Chairperson of the Marigold Foundation and President of the National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support - Malta were present. The event also enjoyed the support of the Malta College of Family Doctors, the Malta Chamber of Pharmacists and the Malta College of Pharmacy Practice.
Rare Disease Day occurs on the last day of February each year and is a global campaign promoted by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), an international patient-driven alliance of rare disease patient organisations. Research is the theme for Rare Disease Day 2018. The 2018 campaign focuses patients as proactive actors in research: they kick start, drive, and organise research, as well as proactively providing data.
A special message by Mr Yann Le Cam (CEO EURORDIS) was recorded purposely for the Colloquium and can be viewed online.
A group photo was taken to promote the 2018 Rare Disease Day campaign #ShowYourRare #RareDiseaseDay