Giving in silence

The generosity of the Maltese people is proverbial. I have been making appeals on behalf of one cause or another all my adult life and our appeals have always received an overwhelming response. The diverse causes are too numerous to be mentioned here but, no doubt, the donors themselves will easily recall them.

What is perhaps less widely known is the generosity of many silent individuals. At the present moment I would like to thank Dr Frank Portelli, director of St Philip's Hospital, for kindly hosting our Albanian patient for five days.

Every service was extended to her freely and our gratitude also goes to all the dedicated staff.

The specialist, Dr George Buttigieg, charitably volunteered his time and expertise, thus living up to his calling as Knight Hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Once on the subject of free service by our medical profession, I cannot fail to give credit to surgeon, Mr Franco Mercieca, for restoring the eyesight to a young Albanian who, along with his younger brother, was grievously injured by a landmine.

The same goes to the St James's Eye Clinic and their caring staff for their free services.

St Luke's Hospital has also cooperated over the years, recently providing and adapting artificial limbs for two of our patients.

S.O.S. Albania, a Malta-based, non-governmental organisation, coordinated all such emergency medical services, funding all extraordinary expenses.

On behalf of our grateful patients, we take this opportunity to thank all our donors, in whatever form, for their wholehearted support.