In a Facebook post sharing the news of last week’s introduction of the Biotestamento act in Italy, renowned Maltese ALS patient and activist Bjorn Formosa spoke about his own views on life, death and assisted dying.

“I want to live as much as I can and want to pursue my dreams even in my difficult circumstances,” Bjorn said. “BUT certain situations are really impossible to live and defy the sense of life.”

Formosa made reference to the case of DJ Fabo, a famous Italian DJ who was left completely paralysed after a horrific car crash. “He lost also his sight, leaving really nothing to the said sense apart from suffering and desperation,” Bjorn said. After years of legal battles back in Italy, Fabo travelled to Switzerland with activist Marco Cappato. The 40-year-old DJ ended his own life at a pro-euthanasia clinic by pressing a button which contained a lethal substance. 

As for 31-year-old Bjorn Formosa, the Maltese activist’s words couldn’t have been clearer. “I will continue fighting till the end and make the most of my residual existence, but at the same time I feel obliged to advocate for patients who find themselves in these impossible conditions.”

DJ Fabo, before and after the fateful 2014 car crash

Formosa used DJ Fabo’s example, amongst so many others, to urge the start of a debate back at home. 

“I think we should start a Mature National Debate on Assisted Dying, especially for terrible situations like those of DJ Fabo,” Formosa said. “Have a look at Fabo’s agony in this video, and you will understand why!”

Last week, the Italian Senate legalised Biotestamento with 180 votes in favour, 71 against and 6 in abstention. The testamento biologico, or Biotestamento as it’s been commonly referred to, is the expression of the will on the part of a person in a state of mental lucidity about the therapies that they intend or do not intend to accept in the event that they should be in the condition of incapacity to express their right to consent or not to consent to specific medical treatment. 

Put quite simply, it gives a human being the right to preemptively refuse medical treatment which they would get in a situation where they wouldn’t even be able to express their consent.

Earlier this year, Bjorn Formosa opened Dar Bjorn in Qormi for ALS sufferers, with the government agreeing to foot the bill for staff salaries and medical equipment. 

Do you think a national debate on assisted dying should be next on Malta’s agenda? Let us know in the comments below.

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).