These past weeks have clearly demonstrated that this country’s health system had the right people in the right place to deal with this unprecedented situation. I still recall that when the first positive Covid-19 case was registered last year, the initial indications were that roughly 40% to 60% of the whole Maltese population would be infected with the COVID-19 disease. With the second wave producing a spike in cases swift measures such as shutting down our schools and limiting people from different households meeting up in public spaces to two, were taken. This occurred as the vaccination roll out kicked in and thanks to the aggressive procurement adopted by the current government.
Reflecting on the unfortunate situation in India, the bottom line of this success is the continuous heavy investment by successive governments in our health system. We indeed should be grateful as a nation that notwithstanding our lack of natural resources, we do have a national health system which provides optimal solutions to those who need it. I have personally experienced first-hand when two years ago I underwent plastic surgery to remove the lipoma I had on my left shoulder – a direct consequence of my statue carrying. A team effort right through the whole hierarchy driven by the consultant surgeon down to the nursing and cleaning staff who by the way in some instances happened to be expatriates!
All things considered, credit is due first and foremost to our minister entrusted with our health services. Following his interventions on the media as well as his joint press conferences with our current Superintendent of health, Chris Fearne, has clearly shown that he is in his comfort zone amid this crisis. Given his professional competence he can clearly understand what this crisis is all about and how to deal with it whilst at the same time communicating effectively to the community the correct attitude. On a political note, I am more than proud as a Maltese citizen to see the sincere collaboration that exists between Chris Fearne and the shadow minister, Hon. Stephen Spiteri, at this time of hour. Although not so conspicuous, such a unity on a political level surely contributes to further adherence to what is being suggested to each one of us on a daily basis.
Having become a household name, Professor Gauci, our Superintendent of health, has demonstrated that she is indeed an astute person whilst at the same time remaining humble all the way. As a colleague in academia she is in possession of a doctoral degree which incidentally happens to be in epidemiology – the branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health. Given the situation she is the most competent person to deal with it. She, indeed, happens to be the right person for the ‘right’ time. This country is eternally indebted to Professor Gauci and to all her team members.
Surely there are plenty of learning outcomes from the COVID-19 experience on an individual as well as on a nationwide level. One of these is, definitely, that government should be able to attract the right competent persons so as to deliver the best service to its citizens. The people chosen to direct and take decisions should in the main possess the right competences so when the tough decisions come along their individual knowhow as well as their past experiences will enable them to deliver the right outcome to the rest of the community, whilst being remunerated adequately (vide my previous contribution entitled ‘A Question of Salaries’). Having Professor Charmaine Gauci as our Superintendent of Health, is one clear example of this.
Dr. Ivan Grixti is a senior lecturer in Financial Accounting at the University of Malta