The controversial ITS deal brought with it huge connotations which have created a political earthquake in our system. In my opinion, not enough has been said about the details of the deal.

Last Tuesday, an excellent video appeared on Net TV's "Mhux Ghax Jimmpurtani." By the next day, the clip went viral through social media. Journalist Mario Frendo explains the ITS deal in very simple terms and visuals. A bit like "The ITS deal made easy" or "The ITS deal for dummies." It works!

The clip explains how the Paceville Masterplan commissioned by Muscat's government clearly stipulates that the ITS land costs €8,500 per square meter. Since the size of the ITS land is 25,000 meters squared, then the actual value of the land is €212,500,000. Not €60 million. Not €15 million.

Now if you were the Minister for Health for our country, what would you do with €200 million?

Ah, but first we have to establish who the real Minister for Health is.

On paper it is Chris Fearne. He was officially sworn in as Minister for Health nearly a year ago (29 April 2016). His predecessor, Konrad Mizzi, remained as Minister for Energy until he cosmetically lost his portfolio.

Then, last Friday, we all got very confused again. A media event was set up in Gozo for all to witness the beginning of the demolishing of the Gozo General Hospital. In the typical Muscat government style, it was announced that three Ministers will be present... but Chris Fearne did not turn up. He let Mizzi and Refalo do the demolishing while he, apparently, stayed away in his hotel room in Gozo.

Of course Fearne's absence from this event shows that there is a rift in Muscat's cabinet and that not all is perfect. Konrad Mizzi went ahead with the demolition works and Anton Refalo joined in. Sadly, none of the journalists asked who is doing what and who is paying for what.

A recent parliamentary question by Frederick Azzopardi (PN) shows that, while Government has paid Vitals Global Healthcare over €16 million in 2016. VGH will be responsible for the building of Barts School in Gozo which (wait for it) will be leased to Government to be used by Barts. So why didn't Government deal directly with Barts? Who is pocketing the commissions for this ping-pong deal?

Back to the €200-million ITS deal. Ironically, even the VGH deal was meant to be an investment of €200 million. This figure seems to appeal to Muscat's Castille triangle. Of course, both deals have Konrad Mizzi in the loop.

So what could we do in health with €200 million?

We could have built a state-of-the-art hospital in Gozo (including the Barts medical school). We could have given a much needed boost to the mental health services in Malta. With €200 million we could have doubled the expenditure on free medicines. And we would still have had enough small change to invest in medical equipment. We definitely could have invested in more healthcare professionals.

According to the newly published National Cancer Plan (2017-2021), in the coming years the treatment for a cancer patient is estimated to rise to the region of €147,000 per patient per year. However, this government has budgeted only €3 million for cancer treatment in 2017. Imagine, with €200 million we could have given cancer treatment for a year to over 1,360 patients.

Of course the wish list goes on. It is endless but alas, it remains a wish list.

National health is just one reason why we cannot look the other way when we talk about the ITS deal.