Malta comprises an archipelago of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea, with the beautiful Comino island and stunning Valletta Waterfront among the highlights for tourists.
Roughly 450,000 British tourists visit Malta every year, which is accessible by airplane, ferry or car from the United Kingdom.
Getting to Malta
Flying from London to Valletta, the capital of Malta, can take just over three hours for non-stop travel, which rises to between four and five hours if a stop is included.
Malta can also be accessed from the UK by ferry, which takes you through Paris and Milan on day one, before a high-speed train from Rome connects you to Malta on the second day.
A similar route can also be undertaken for those looking to drive, although travellers should expect a journey time of between 31 and 33 hours.
If you are unsure as to managing your diabetes while travelling to Malta, you should consult a member of your diabetes team.
Time difference
Malta is one hour ahead of British Summer Time and two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. This should not necessitate any major changes to your diabetes management.
Climate
The average climate in Malta is comparatively warmer than the UK, with average high temperatures in Valleta summers regularly around 28°C.
Winters are also much more enjoyable, with average temperatures between 13-15°C.
Insulin takers should be wary as insulin can be absorbed faster in warmer temperatures. This will require attentive checking of blood glucose levels.
You could consider reducing dosages if planning periods of physical activity in the sun and you are concerned about hypoglycemia.
Currency
The currency in Malta is the Euro. However, the majority of hotels, larger shops and restaurants also accept payment in the main international currencies such as sterling and dollars.
Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccine is required from all travellers entering Malta from a country where yellow fever is prevalent. Otherwise, this vaccine is not recommended.
There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Malta, however rabies is present in bats in Malta, so it is advised for those planning activities in remote areas that put them at risk for bat bites to receive a rabies vaccine.
If you believe you may require this vaccine then it is advised to consult your doctor eight weeks before travelling which should allow enough time for you to receive it.
Otherwise, the opportunity should be taken to ensure existing vaccinations such as your yearly flu jab and those against polio and tetanus are also up to date.
UK Global Health Insurance Card
Apply for a GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) – you can apply online at https://overseas-healthcare.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/get-healthcare-cover-travelling-abroad/start and you can receive free cover in some European countries.
Ensuring access to medication
Medication is available in Malta, but payment is required from a pharmacy. However, possessing a GHIC card allows you to receive treatment at a lesser cost and this money can be recouped when you get back into the UK.
Most pharmacies in Malta are open from 09:00-13:00 on weekdays, before reopening after lunch from 16:00-19:00.
On Saturdays, pharmacies will open on mornings between 09:00-12:00 , with pharmacies then shut on Sundays. lood and urine testing kits are available from many pharmacies in Malta.
The emergency services telephone number to be called in Malta is 112.
Insulin
You should note which syringes are available in Malta, with U-100, U-80 and U-40 syringes the most commonly used.
The vast majority of insulin in the UK is U-100 insulin. If you need to take a different strength of insulin, say in an emergency, it’s important that you use the correct device and syringes for that insulin.
For example, you would use a U-40 syringe for U-40 insulin. You will need to work with a doctor getting the right dose if you’re using a different form of insulin.
Diabetes associations
It is important to note the diabetes associations in the country you are travelling to in case of an emergency.
There is one diabetic association in Malta, Ghaqda Kontra D-dijabete, which has been a member of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) since1982. The address is:
- Ghaqda Kontra D-dijabete, 74/1 Melita Street, Valletta, Malta Tel: +356-21-221518 Email: [email protected]
Questions
- How is blood glucose measured in Malta? Unfortunately, we do not have the information of whether blood glucose is measured in mg/dl or mmol/l in Malta.
- What language is spoken in Malta? Maltese and English
- Will I need an international driving license when driving in Malta? No
- If I want to hire a vehicle during my visit, will I face any form of discrimination? No
- What sugar free drinks are available in Malta? All leading sugar-free drinks such as Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi and Diet Sprite
