This week, I was shocked to read a testimonial of a Maltese doctor who works in the Emergency department at Mater Dei, in the wake of the passing of Stephen Mangion, a police officer who suffered a cardiac arrest while he was waiting his turn to be treated.

The news made the rounds in no time, as the country mourned yet another victim of our excess. My most sincere condolences to the loved ones he left behind.

The doctor, who spoke to this paper on condition of anonymity, said that the situation at Mater Dei's emergency has become so bad that doctors are often put in a position where they must choose who to help, discriminating one emergency over another. "This is a very dangerous situation to be in. We're not gods, we can't make the choice of who deserves to live over another. Everyone should be seen to with the same level of care and attention," the medical professional said.

It is evident that our doctors at the emergency department, but also at the whole national hospital in general, are completely overwhelmed. Reportedly, they are seeing 300 to 400 cases every day - a gargantuan task by any measure.

Moreover, since the Vitals scandal, the Gozo Hospital is now also the responsibility of Mater Dei's senior staff, so medical professionals have been burdened with running that hospital as well, stretching resources even further.

This is the epitome of mismanagement. The tragic climax of a roadmap that was only interested in making a few people filthy rich, while overloading the country with burdens that we never imagined. The current overpopulation, both permanent residents, as well as the exaggerated tourism volumes are seen as the main culprits for the unsustainable situation. Lack of information also plays a central role, as people still are opting to go to Mater Dei straightaway, when they would be just as well treated at a regional Health centre.

The medical professional went as far as describing the current situation as another pandemic - a medical crisis which is getting out of hand. 

It is absolutely unacceptable that our medical professionals are getting the blame for the situation. Doctors, nurses, and support staff are working incredible hours, often staying away from their families and essentially their lives for days on end. The stress is simply unfair as it appears to continue increasing. It is no wonder that so many of our medical graduates decide to seek opportunities and a career elsewhere. It is a shame that we keep losing out on their talents year after year.

While they do their utmost to see to the needs of everyone who walks in the door, miracles remain in the realm of the divine.

We deserve better. We need a government that is capable of addressing the dire situation head on, before we hear of more tragic episodes. We need a better economic plan that does not rely on enormous volumes of people coming over, exerting untold strain on the country's resources.

The medical sector is just one example. We don't need to say much about the power-grid which buckled under the exaggerated demand earlier this summer, again and again. I shudder to think about our water supply or worse of all, the drainage system!

We need a better plan, one that gives hope to both the medical staff at our hospitals and health centres, but also to our patients, who can be reassured that they will be treated effectively and in a timely manner when needed. We need a plan that provides dignity to all involved, and peace of mind.

I thank all the medical professionals who work tirelessly round the clock to serve their patients, as I hope that matters will improve soon.

 

Alexander Mangion is the Deputy Mayor of Attard.