The world did not stop when, seven weeks ago, the foundations of our island felt the first tremors of Panamagate. Presumably business went on as usual. But did it?

The Malta Employers Association has already expressed its grave concern about the threat to 9,000 jobs in the financial services sector. However, let’s not forget that Konrad Mizzi is the super minister responsible for Energy and Health. How were the health services of our country affected by the biggest scandal of our country?

For the past several weeks, Chris Fearne, Parliamentary Secretary for Health seemed to take over. The press received numerous releases and were invited to quite a few photo opportunities. However, there was very little substance.

Unfortunately, the events of the past seven weeks have taken their toll on health services in Malta. Panamagate has made it more obvious that health is dominated by a power struggle between those appointed by Godfrey Farrugia (who were obviously sidelined), those who Konrad Mizzi appointed to replace them, and those who are loyal to Chris Fearne, who felt the Minister’s scandal would help them and their Parliamentary Secretary to shine.

Odd things have been happening. While government continues to claim that the out-of-stock medicines issue has been solved, more people are complaining about the number of medicines not available to patients.

While government still holds an out-of-stock medicines list, some medicines are given other titles which still make them unavailable to patients. These include “pending order”, “awaiting urgent order”, etc.

Various departments at Mater Dei are in a real crisis. There is huge pressure on the hospital staff. Management is concerned with numbers but not with the quality of the services. Emergency (A&E) remains a daily struggle. Staff face abuse and violence from patients and relatives, with the constant threat that they will be reported to the ministry or the Prime Minister’s office.

Waiting time has not improved and staff are getting the blame. This department has already lost a good number of its staff members because of the serious pressures. Now others are following suit.

The out-patients department is still seeing crowds of people waiting to be seen. Some appointments have been scheduled for 2018.

Some 50% of patients still do not turn up for their appointments. The ex-HR director has now been given the task to study the problems of this complex department and come up with solutions.

For some reason, the person chosen to replace her in HR, handpicked by Chris Fearne albeit with no experience in health or HR, has not started working yet, which means the former lady has more than her hands full and is under pressure to deliver.

Another department which is struggling is the surgeries and operations. The out-sourcing of operations was first stopped and then recommenced after it was evident that targets were not being reached.

It is not very clear as to what is really going on here. Government is claiming that the number of surgeries has increased but the essential consumables used for surgeries seem to have decreased.

Then there is, of course, the notorious privatization of three major hospitals (one in Gozo and two in Malta). Seeing that the efforts by the representative of the investors was not working as well as was originally planned, a new team of “experts” is currently in Malta to “teach” and “convince” the hospital staff that this is the best way forward.

I am informed that these meetings are actually making the whole situation worse for the investors and the Maltese government. The staff are realizing that the reality they are facing now and in the near future is very different from what was promised to them.

It was reported in this newspaper that, over Easter, the Government signed a deal on the use of land but, to date, there is no official admission that an actual contract or memorandum of understanding has been signed with Vitalis Global Healthcare.

Konrad Mizzi’s disappearing act has not helped to reassure anybody that things are working as they should.  Lack of transparency is once again proving lack of good governance. For the umpteenth time, the mounting problems show that Konrad Mizzi just is not fit for purpose.

As I put pen to paper, rumour is rife that Joseph Muscat will sack Konrad Mizzi because the situation is totally untenable. The Opposition has also presented a vote of no confidence in Joseph Muscat’s government because Joseph Muscat should have taken action weeks ago and his inability to act have made him incompetent or accomplice.

This Sunday, Valletta will once again see crowds gathering to protest against corruption. Let’s hope Joseph Muscat will listen.