Dr Ramon Bondin from Mater Dei Hospital was invited on the TV programme Kumplimenti, on OneTV, on 16 August 2023 with Ms Debbie Scerri to discuss Coeliac Disease and the ITAMA_CAP project.

The ITAMA_CAP project is a continuation of the ITAMA project, which was also funded under the Interreg Italia-Malta programme. 

ITAMA was implemented via cross collaboration of Medical and ICT teams in Sicily and Malta. The project ran a screening of more than 20,000 children of paediatric age [3-11] to determine if they are suffering from coeliac conditions using non-invasive techniques. The objectives of this ITAMA were met and are as follows:

• to raise awareness about coeliac diseases
• the results from the non-invasive simple prick tests using PoCT [Point of Care Testing] have validate the accuracy of the technique used
• technology transfer and/or process innovation in the healthcare sector

An unforeseen issue while ITAMA was underway was the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it more difficult than expected to make contact with all the children and parents about the testing and then approving to send their children to school. As a result some parents and children who might have been interested during ITAMA chose not to participate or missed the opportunity.

ITAMA_CAP as ITAMA’s successor sought to apply the activities done in ITAMA with students between the ages of 12-18 instead.

These parents have reached out through ITAMA social media channels and expressed interest in registering their children for the test during ITAMA_CAP, and the registration for the test is now open to all students in Malta aged 3-18.

Register here: https://app.itamaproject.eu/register/ 

Dr. Ramon Bondin and Mark Camilleri from Mater Dei Hospital, were invited on the Maltese TV programme ‘Illum ma’ Steph’, where they discussed the condition of coeliac disease.

Dr. Bondin then went on to discuss how, during the next few months, the ITAMA_CAP project will be screening students aged 12-18 across schools in Malta, and adults in Sicily, for this disease via non-invasive techniques, which will enable medical professionals to provide the appropriate care at the appropriate stages for those who test positive for coeliac disease.

Dr. Ramon Bondin and Mark Camilleri from Mater Dei Hospital were invited to the Radio Show – Ghal Kulhadd on Radju Malta with Christine Delicata to discuss coeliac disease and the ITAMA CAP project on 26/04/2023

Dr. Christopher Barbara, Clinical Chairperson Pathology Department, Mater Dei Hospital, was invited on the Maltese TV programme ‘Fost il-Gimgha’, where Dr. Barbara delved deeper into the condition of coeliac disease.

Dr. Barbara then went on to discuss how, during the next few months, the ITAMA_CAP project will be screening students aged 12-18 across schools in Malta, and adults in Sicily, for this disease via non-invasive techniques, which will enable medical professionals to provide the appropriate care at the appropriate stages for those who test positive for coeliac disease.