Don't forget heart transplantees

I have read Alfred Debattista's letter (July 21) referring to the so-called "privileged doctor" controversy and I totally agree with all that he wrote, while at the same time not wanting to interfere in the dispute between MAM and the authorities.

I happened to be Mr Debattista's colleague and also the first Maltese person who has ever had a heart transplant, which was performed by Alex Manché and his Maltese team on September 25, 1996.

I owe them my life, not forgetting my donor's relatives for their kind "yes" and to whom I will remain grateful till death. If it weren't for Mr Manché's abilities, God Almighty knows where I would have been during these past nine years.

I ask the same question: If and when Mr Manché's contract is terminated after it elapses - and he being the one from whom my heart transplantee colleagues and I need attention in terms of follow-ups, check-ups, decisions taken after our biopsies and medicines to take - will the authorities send us to him at the place where he has settled down?

So why don't people sit round a table, put their heads together and come to a good decision which favours all sides, especially us, heart transplantees, so that our minds will be at rest especially when we need to be diagnosed.

As Mr Debattista said in his letter, we have always found Mr Manché, whenever we needed his services, just a phone call or a visit to CTS away, and all our problems are solved in no time at all, free of charge. With that smile on his face he heals you in no time at all and this goes for all those who work at CTS, the cath. lab. and CICU, to whom I would like to express my gratitude.

All I would like to say to whoever is concerned is to think twice and well before coming to a final decision.

I use the same phrase that Mr Debattista ended his letter with: Let good sense prevail.