There are amateurs and there are amateurs. Good amateurs are those who do things for love. Money does not really come into their equation. They have a passion for what they do and go into great detail to do things as best as they can: drama, sports, you name it.
It’s unfair to these amateurs that there is another kind: the shoddy, let’s-get-on-with-it type. Often they are know-it-alls, despite lacking professionalism. It’s in this category that Joseph Muscat’s government belongs: brash, blustery, boastful. Yet so often evidently incompetent.
Take the Monti stalls charade. Everyone has agreed that the design is hideous. But what must the selection process have been like? How could such a design go through the system? It was selected: Were there alternatives? It was commissioned: Who approved it? The stalls were actually made: How much did they cost?
It was a fait accompli until the entire nation clutched its stomach and gagged. Now the government is asking for expressions of interest in redesigning the stalls again. Talk about carts and horses.
Or maybe we should talk about chalk and cheese. The monti goes with the space of the entire Piano project as much as salad goes with custard. The problem is not that the government’s decision-makers don’t know it. It’s that they don’t care.
On second thoughts, perhaps they do care, after all. Muscat has said he does not like the stall design himself but, in one respect, he must love them. He must really think of them with glee.
It will not have escaped his attention that the monti stalls’ location has been a welcome public distraction from other messes, not least fuel prices, hospital management, and accountability. Hence the game of mirrors concerning where the stalls will be set up. In communication terms, Muscat has managed to turn one mess to his advantage.
On the substance itself, however, he continues to show a staggering disregard for the dignity of the country: whether it’s patients’ dignity, that of our capital or of our democracy.
World Cancer Day 2015
On Wednesday, we commemorated World Cancer Day. On Tuesday I accompanied Simon Busuttil on a visit to all cancer patients at Boffa Hospital and the new Oncology Centre; on Wednesday, as shadow health minister, I addressed the Action for Breast Cancer conference at the Verdala Palace in Rabat.
Meeting the patients and the wonderful staff at Boffa helped me tune into the deep concerns and needs of our patients, relatives and professional staff. I strongly believe that many significant initiatives in health must not only focus around the patients but draw on the experience of patients, families and civil society.
In the sector of cancer, the Gonzi government showed vision. The achievements were huge: the setting up of cancer screening (breast and colon); the introduction of a PET scanner through Swiss funds and collaboration with the private sector to offer this service; the introduction of the HPV vaccine for girls; training of oncology radiographers and medical physicists (both projects started years ago but are bearing the fruit now); the introduction of new medicines essential for today’s treatments; and, of course, the building of a new oncology hospital, a project again with EU funding support.
All these initiatives were envisaged in the first national cancer plan, launched in 2011. It is reassuring to see this government still implementing this plan; for instance, through the introduction of screening for cervical cancer and of course the completion of the Oncology Centre.
Cancer is an illness that can strike anyone. Of course, we can change our behaviour to minimise our chances of being struck by it and to maximise our chances of catching it in time if we are. Today I appeal to all NGOs, particularly those on the National Cancer Platform, to take the lead in tomorrow’s prevention, care and survival strategies.
NGOs should feel empowered to speak up and act. They have to push us politicians harder to achieve more than we have because complacency costs lives. In health matters, incompetence is criminal but even being merely good is simply not good enough.
A great day for democracy
As I conclude this article the news is out. "Constitutional Court orders PN to be given two more seats in House". The emotions are huge. I thank Therese Commodini Cachia for her wisdom and guidance. Well done for a sterling job. My thanks also go to Paul Borg Olivier and Chris Said who were also an essential part of the legal team.
The decision proves that I made it on my own steam. I am proud of this day and all those who worked hard and voted for me should feel comforted. As one great leader of our country once said, "Is-sewwa jirbah zgur" (justice will prevail). Of course things are still developing, so watch this space.