“Why this is very mid-summer madness”. The main character, Olivia, in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night exclaims after noting that the behaviour and actions of significant persons around her was somewhat suddenly unusual and surprising.
In a similar vein last week, a member of the public challenged the sanity of the ministry I head on noting that despite being mid-summer, the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care was engaged in various significant activities, on top of the day-to-day operations of all the health care services, which of course, do not cease, or even decline over the summer. The person asked (me) “Is this mid-summer madness?”
It seems that in summer, government and the ministries and entities within them, are expected to minimise their activity. The Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care, is clearly one (of many), which did not do so.
In recent weeks, the public was informed that the ministry rolled out the planned initiative to outsource operations to the private sector and the new service of deep brain stimulation was started, and the outcomes are very encouraging.
A call for tenders was published for the management of Zammit Clapp Hospital, which is being refurbished into a residence that will welcome some 100 residents as soon as possible. This residence is being planned and designed to accommodate the needs of members of the public who need round the clock care by qualified nurses; this type of residence is commonly referred to as a nursing home, which is distinct from a home that simply provides residential facilities and care. Many such people often have to spend long periods of time at Mater Dei Hospital, which is an acute hospital, since going back home is not a viable option for them, and beds available in existent residential homes are at times limited as well as unable to provide the appropriate level, nature and quality of nursing care needed round the clock.
A new linear accelerator at Boffa was commissioned recently and our patients will now be able to receive their treatment using the latest technology.
The ministry’s efforts to enhance the quantity and quality of the human resources available to deliver health care services in the country has continued to translate into a success story over the summer.
A very significant number of new medical graduates have started the foundation programme, which means they will not go overseas. They are engaged in our health services and will receive the further training they need locally.
The faculty of health sciences has seen a very big interest in the programmes available in health care professions. The number of students who will join these programmes, such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy are not yet final, but the indications so far are indeed very favourable.
My ministry took the main lead in promoting a career in health care, and steered an extensive advertising campaign in the media early last month. The outcome of the campaign is illustrated in the abnormally high number of applicants in various health care programmes at the faculty of health sciences. We, at the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care take much pride in this success, because building our human resources is high on our agenda!
This summer, our ministry has extended its activity beyond our shores. In truly admirable form, a number of health care professionals employed with the Department of Health recently volunteered to go to Tunisia and Libya to provide medical assistance to persons who needed to travel across the two countries in relative safety and comfort. The meticulous planning, commitment and dedication of the people engaged in my ministry was evident once again during the expected quiet summer lull.
Unlike the plot of Twelfth Night, the (incorrectly) perceived mid-summer madness in my ministry did not stem from a ploy of conspiracy and tricks. The noted significant mid-summer activity, which the member of the public questioned as possible mid-summer madness, stemmed from many months of thorough and indeed detailed planning.
We will continue to work hard all year. Sometimes circumstances demand that we rise to the occasion and I am very proud to say that in such circumstances our people shine. We manage our limited human resources and finances wisely to be of service. As a ministry we will continue to do our very best. With your support, we can achieve and deliver a lot more and have many a favourable ending, as did the play Twelfth Night….
Dr Cassar is Minister for Health,
the Elderly and Community Care