What's cooking?

Reporting on the visit to Mater Dei Hospital by the Kuwaiti Minister of Health, The Times (April 16) disclosed that (a) the Kuwaiti government is interested in sending a number of patients to receive treatment in Malta; (b) discussions have been held with the Maltese authorities on the possibility of bringing Kuwaiti doctors to Malta for training, and Maltese doctors flying over to the Gulf State to train local doctors and to carry out surgical interventions; (c) Kuwait is considering the possibility of increasing the number of students it sends to Malta to study at Malta's medical school, and (d) a memorandum of understanding revolving on health issues is expected to be signed between Malta and Kuwait in the coming weeks. This includes the possibility of sending cardiac and oncology Kuwaiti patients to Malta for treatment.

This raises a number of questions of public interest. The foremost issue relates to transparency.

Since the inauguration of Mater Dei Hospital, the media carried several reports about nursing staff shortages and overcrowding in this state-of-the-art facility. Simultaneously, the media reported that the medical staff is overworked and inadequately remunerated, with the result that young doctors are seeking rewarding opportunities overseas. In the light of all this, concerned citizens have instantly raised the question as to whether the memorandum of understanding to be signed with Kuwait will involve added pressure on the overstretched resources at Mater Dei Hospital, now available to Maltese taxpayers. There will, of course, be no objection to any arrangements whereby Kuwaiti patients would be offered treatment in private hospitals. Indeed, such arrangements are feasible without the necessity of a memorandum of understanding between states.

When there are long lists of patients awaiting certain types of surgical operations, the question arises as to whether the authorities can afford to send Maltese doctors to carry out surgical operations abroad.

It is flattering to hear that the Kuwaiti government is considering the possibility of increasing the number of students it sends to study at Malta's medical school. Would the intake of more foreign medical students elbow out Maltese students aspiring to take up medical studies? Would foreign medical students need the very stringent entry requirements that apply to Maltese students?

Has the organised medical profession been consulted in advance on such matters? Isn't public opinion entitled to know what's cooking?