I am writing to express my utter frustration over the fact that I have been on a waiting list for a knee replacement operation for the last four years. In the meantime my condition has become progressively worse and I am practically incapacitated.

Although I am only 55 and completely healthy, due to my condition I am unable to perform even the most basic of tasks and, to make matters worse, I have no idea when this ordeal will come to an end because I still do not have even a provisional date set for the operation.

As matters stand, my condition has caused my knee to swell out of all proportion, as can be seen by the accompanying photograph, and daily necessities such as shopping, household chores and even walking up and down the stairs have now become impossible.

Moreover, my situation is deteriorating by the day and I fear that I may never regain my full capacities after having been made to wait for so long for my condition to be treated.

I appeal to the authorities, as so many others have done in the past, to solve the problems of such waiting lists, which, perhaps more than anything else, are negatively affecting the quality of life of patients awaiting treatment, treatment which is theirs by right here in Malta.

Lillian Cassar

HAMRUN