San Marino, 25 April 2024 – This morning, a Memorandum to promote cooperation in the field of cardiovascular prevention activities was signed between the Grand Priory of Lombardy and Venice of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, represented by HE. the Ambassador Prof. Marcello Celestini –delegated by the Procurator of the Gran Priory– and the Secretary of State for Health of the Republic of San Marino Mariella Mularoni.
The agreement recognises the importance of continuing the cardiovascular prevention screening activity for the benefit of San Marino citizens through the A.M.P.A.M. project, with the commitment to integrate this initiative with the cardiovascular prevention activities conducted by the Institute for Social Security of the Republic of San Marino, in order to improve clinical effectiveness and awareness among health professionals and San Marino citizens.
The agreement envisages that the activity will be carried out in a mobile marquee owned by the Order of Malta’s Embassy in the San Marino territory, with the participation of health personnel and lay volunteers belonging to the Order of Malta, through a complete screening that includes collecting anamnesis, measuring cholesterol, measuring blood pressure, calculating cardiovascular risk, and opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation.
The Order of Malta’s Grand Priory of Lombardy and Venice, with its own personnel and equipment, will also collaborate with the Cardiology Unit of the State Hospital, providing clinical support to citizens undergoing screening, and General Practitioners will also be involved in the activity.
This cardiovascular prevention initiative complements the important activity of prevention and promotion of a culture of health, in particular with regard to heart disease, which the Republic of San Marino has been vigorously pursuing for years, not only with the activities of the ISS, but also with the support of the San Marino Cardiology Society, bodies and institutions, including schools, Civil Protection, the Police Force, Scientific Societies and Voluntary Associations, within the framework of the ‘Cardio-protected Republic’ project.
“We are particularly pleased to sign today the Memorandum with the Grand Priory of Lombardy and Venice of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the presence of H.E. Ambassador Marcello Celestini, to continue the cardiovascular screening activities for San Marino citizens through the Order of Malta Embassy’s mobile cardiovascular prevention clinic,” declared Secretary of State Mariella Mularoni. This is an initiative dedicated to the prevention of heart disease, with a series of appointments every two months, to make San Marino citizens aware of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, but they can be prevented through healthy lifestyles, regular check-ups, and access to treatment. These are issues to which San Marino health institutions devote the utmost attention. Once again, I would like to thank all those who will contribute to carrying out this prevention activity”.
“It is with a deep sense of gratitude and commitment that today we sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of San Marino for collaboration in this important cardiovascular prevention initiative,” says Amb. Marcello Celestini. “The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has always been committed to humanitarian service and health promotion, and this collaboration with the Republic of San Marino reflects our constant commitment to carrying out this noble mission. The Mobile Cardiovascular Prevention Ambulatory is a valuable initiative that aims to improve the cardiovascular health of the population, and we are honoured to be able to contribute to this important work through our experience and resources”.
“The signing of this Memorandum with the Grand Priory of Lombardy and Venice of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta,” declared ISS Director General Francesco Bevere, “completes the current plan for the prevention of acute cardiac diseases, already launched by the ISS and at the heart of the Order’s mission, certain that this further support will strengthen the activities already in place in this crucial sector. The Mobile Cardiovascular Prevention Outpatient Clinic therefore represents a further opportunity for San Marino citizens to have access to the high quality cardiovascular screening activities of professionalism and values, always expressed by the Sovereign Order of Malta, whom I thank very much for their availability. My thanks also go to the Secretary of State Mariella Mularoni, promoter of this initiative,’ Director Bevere concludes, ‘for the sensitivity shown in this case as well, and to all the healthcare personnel who will cooperate to achieve a favourable combination of all the clinical and diagnostic activities put in place to bring citizens closer to the prevention of heart and vascular diseases’.
