It’s a fact that the number of people making use of the Emergency Department in Mater Dei Hospital is on the increase and this is causing problems. Meanwhile, the way government is addressing this issue is of concern.

The reality is that services in the community are deteriorating and the dentistry service is one of them. This service, is now only available at Mater Dei Hospital, with a long waiting list attached to it.

People are not being offered any choice but to seek care in the private sector and this should be addressed by the government if it believes in universal health care.

The opening hours of health centres around Malta have been reduced during this last decade, except for the ones in Floriana, Mosta and Paola, although after 5pm these branches offer only treatment in emergency cases.

If this, for the government, means a good quality service, then the general public is right in their belief of not trusting anymore the same administration. The government should explain to the public why access to the health clinics is being restricted by limiting opening hours. This present policy is ensuring that more people are seeking the emergency service of Mater Dei.

Government’s new policy regarding Mater Dei means that some people will find it difficult to seek public health care. Their only option will be to go private, if they can afford it.

Victor Degiovanni

Secretary

Communist Party of Malta