The temperature has now soared and one can hardly walk in the shade during the late morning or early afternoon hours, let alone under the scorching sun.  People are encouraged to avoid staying out during such hours, to use protective sun lotions and cover up with light clothing. The elderly are urged to avoid exertion and drink plenty of water.  During the past years, campaigns to this effect were launched prior and during the summer months and hopefully a reasonable level of success has been achieved and heartache avoided for family members and friends of those contracting, at times life threatening, skin conditions due to excessive sun exposure.  Some days ago I visited a friend of mine who, as a result of long hours spent on the beach when we both were quite a bit younger, is now going through very difficult times despite the efforts of family members to make him as comfortable as possible. Unfortunate and sad circumstances indeed.  

A thought also goes to the many workers whose main duties are by nature performed on the streets and have to face the extreme elements of the weather.  Working under our scorching sun is hard work.  While unions and managements try to find practicable and pragmatic solutions to avoid such hardship to the workers, some have no other option but to work in these unfavourable conditions.  

I write this at the very early hours of the morning, with the sound of leaves brushing against each other in the welcome breeze. At this hour, the quietness is unique and the fresh breeze of the early morning makes a nice cup of tea pleasant to drink. It is an enjoyable early Sunday morning. While not as yet sure about the subject I will write about, I toy with my pencil and doodle idly on a piece of rough paper.

As dawn is breaking, the report published by Mr Charles Messina, Commissioner for Health within the Office of the Ombudsman - a well experienced gentleman on the subject – came up on my radar. A couple of days ago the Commissioner issued an own-initiative report on out of stock medicines within the public health sector. Undoubtedly, addressing the cumbersome and never-ending procedures of medicines’ procurement brings to the room a breath of fresh air.  However, the Ministry for Finance may need to put more money on the table to satisfy the needs of the Ministry for Health in this regard.  Bearing in mind that free medicines and health care eat away substantial Government revenues, it is appropriate to look into current procurement procedures and practices which may have, over the years, worn themselves thin.                 

This is an issue which has been dealt with on many occasions and provides space for serious national discussion and food for thought if we are to ensure that we continue to enjoy free medicines and sterling healthcare. Without going into the merits, findings and proposals put forward by the Commissioner for Health, one ought to ask what were and are the proposals of the present administration in this regard. 

While people were assured that the present administration is capable, knowledgeable and has in hand detailed plans ready to be rolled out once elected to office, it is now evident that nothing was planned in this area.  We have now learnt that the present administration would be more than satisfied if the shortage of medicines is brought under control and managed to the satisfaction of patients entitled to free-medicines within the next forty-eight months. That is four whole years down the line! This is a long way off from the testimonies and promises made by the same people now in office when they were fighting tooth and nail to secure an electoral victory.     

Things are turning out to be very different. This is the eighth month of the year and the fifth month of the present administration.  The calendar fixed on the kitchen wall or on the desk is getting thinner.  The summer holidays will soon be over and the first budget of the new administration will soon be due.  Many are expecting something different, away from excuses that “this is not our making but it is the making of the former incumbents”.  Many are hoping that the coming budget is drawn up in line with the many promises made.  Let’s hope we are not disappointed.   For many of us, this is the time of year we look forward to.  Summer is a time for special gatherings with family and friends; unfortunately it can also be a time of added pressure to do more in the same amount of time and sometimes with less energy to do it.   This must not apply to the administration as now is the time to plan for next year.  Hopefully the proposed plan will be in the best interest of all.          

In conclusion, on a completely different subject, many readers may know, this coming week-end the Hamrunizi will celebrate with enthusiasm the feast of San Gejtanu, in this regard I take the opportunity to wish all Hamrunizi a saintly feast.

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