Born in 1920, Griffiths received his education at HM Dockyard School, the Lyceum, and the RUM from where he qualified Ph.C. and B.Sc. (1939) and MD (1942). He was awarded the government travelling scholarship in 1945 and proceeded to the UK to further his training in surgery. He was elected FRCS (England) in 1945.
After holding registrar posts in UK hospitals, Griffiths returned to Malta in 1947 and was appointed consultant surgeon. He was appointed professor of anatomy at the RUM (1953) and lecturer in surgery (1960). He also served as honorary lecturer in anatomy at St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, London (1953-54). He was subsequently appointed professor of surgery of the RUM and director of surgery of the health department in 1969, a post he held until 1977 when he relinquished it as a result of the trade union dispute.
Griffiths was appointed consultant advisor and director of the department of surgery in 1987. He was a member of several societies and associations including the Malta Branch of the British Medical Association, serving as president; the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland; the International Society of Surgery; the International College of Surgeons; the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain; and the Association of Clinical Anatomists of Great Britain. In 1996 Griffiths was appointed officer of the National Order of Merit (UOM). In 2002 he was made (Hon.) Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
His interests include history of Malta and medicine; English literature and archaeology. Griffiths has published several papers in medical journals and local newspapers. Since 1998 he has been University ombudsman.
Griffiths is married to Dr Mary Grech Marguerat, MD.