The health service

Allow me to appeal to the good sense of all of us, who regularly make use of the excellent health services provided by our country.

I believe we all know that the astronomical cost of providing the comprehensive service we enjoy needs to be funded sensibly, or we risk losing it.

I have just come home from the dentistry department where I had three molars extracted. The whole operation, from blood preparation for the laboratory by the ACC to the actual extraction was carried out very efficiently and painlessly by young friendly dentists with consummate professionalism. We are indeed lucky and should be thankful to these wonderful people.

I appeal to all political parties to cooperate in reaching the right formula to ensure the continuation of this valuable asset we all enjoy.

Clearly, the time has come for all of us who can contribute more, to do so without rancour. Past mistakes when the Nationalist Party sought to take cheap advantage over the Labour Party over the 50c charge for prescriptions, must never be repeated. On their part the MLP should not keep on with their tit-for-tat retaliation and obstruction.

The electorate is quite capable of judging who did and who did not earn the merit of sustaining the health service.

Political parties must not put in jeopardy, by inane pique, this service to the less fortunate in our society.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi must not shy away from taking the unpopular political decisions necessary to safeguard what we have. I trust that the Labour Party, on their part will realise that it is their own supporters who stand to lose most, if we fail to put the health service on a sound economic footing.

I believe that anybody earning more than Lm6,500 per annum should make a contribution to the health service we receive, relative to our affordability. It is the only way that I can see to guarantee that the service is available free to people on low income, who have no recourse to private services.