Theodore Sammut, Luqa
Waiting years for a cataract operation
One cannot deny that the government has done many things to benefit the populace over the last 20 years or so. Still, some priorities have been shelved.
I just checked with Mater Dei Hospital about a member of my family who is on the waiting list for a cataract operation. She lost the sight of one eye and soon she will lose the other. But according to the waiting list, she will have to wait for at least four more years because specialists are still operating on patients from the 2003 list.
What is the government waiting for to do something about this and other waiting lists? Surely one can make some arrangements with private hospitals?
One can understand that specialists can only handle a limited number of operations, even though the politicians promised that the waiting list problem would be solved. It seems that in some areas, more problems have been created such as fewer beds and the service is sometimes unsatisfactory.
Why does one have to go to Mater Dei for some elementary information? Shouldn't this be given over the phone especially to the sick, elderly and disabled? Considering we're living in the computer era, when even a receptionist can in a split second find the relevant information on the computer, why should a bed-ridden person be forced to Mater Dei just to make sure that his file is not lost and that he is still in the queue?
On the other hand, private operations cost money and the government may argue that it cannot afford the expense. Well, if one takes a look at what the government spends on many unimportant projects, one can save millions to make good for such health needs. The question of compensating those ministers who were rejected by the people is a case in point.
Statistics show that about 30,000 people didn't vote. Why? Surely, they must all be disappointed about one thing or another.
I'm not saying that had the MLP been elected, these problems would have been solved in a jiffy, but if the government wants to earn the trust of those thousands who did not vote in the last election, then it has to do something soon and send for all those who have been waiting for years for an operation. Otherwise, the thousands who mistrusted the government are going to increase.
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Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS (Ed) Fellow Royal Society of Medicine
Jun 14th 2008, 09:35
Cataract operations constitute a large percentage of the patients who are on the waiting list - Probably around 4000 patients are waiting for Cataract Operation.
Although a Cataract Operation is major surgery - it can be performed on a day care basis.
It is certainly one waiting list that we should be able to tackle - I have offered many options to do this.
I also believe that the young and the old should be given priority - the very old should not wait at all. This would not be queue jumping - but priority listing.
Please let’s leave Politics out of Medicine - Patients before Politics
Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(Ed) fellow Royal Society of Medicine
Maria Dolores Fenech
May 30th 2008, 17:28
@ C Bezzina
Can you explain how one can have the same operation done in a couple of months, but in a private hospital?
My mother uses (frequently, because of her poor eyesight) the Opthalmic Outpatients Dept, both in St. Luke's Hospital and Mater Dei. They are very sweet dedicated people willing to help, even though they work under pressure. She had a cataract operation done in her left eye at St Luke's Hospital after waiting for a year and a half in the waiting list. Last month the doctor (at Mater Dei) told her that she should have another operation on her right eye but now she was told that she has to wait 4 years in the waiting list. My mother is 77 years old, can she afford to live her (remaining) life like this?
laurence schembri
May 30th 2008, 15:24
Correct me if I`m wrong. Is it not the taxpayer that is providing funds for free university and stipend? Is it not the taxpayer`s right to ask for better service? Shouln`t there be a time limit to tie this doctors to give some back of what they got for free? Isn`t there specialist opthalmics that can teach these fleeing doctors and specialise locally? Of course there is. I can name three at a drop of a hat. No Mr. Bezzina...somewhere along the line you have got it wrong.
wally vella-zarb
May 30th 2008, 12:47
@C.Bezzina
So while these doctors are suffering all these sacrifices, what are the patients on the waiting list expected to do? Twiddle their thumbs?
Government has at least three options to ease out of this situation;:
(1) Enter into an agreement with local private hospitals.
(2) Employ specialists from mainland Europe.
(3) Send more urgent cases for treatment in other European countries.
It is unacceptable for a European Member State to have waiting lists of more than six months, let alone of several years. As Minister Dalli, and others before him, quite rightly said, the situation is a disgrace. No amount of excuses can justify it.
J Demicoli
May 30th 2008, 12:40
@ C.Bezzina
Good revelation! And would you be so kind as to tell us how long this specialisation takes? What becomes of the specialist ophtalmist?
It is true they leave their loved ones behind; but in pursuit of better pastures.
Good for them and bad for us.
C.Bezzina
May 30th 2008, 12:02
Don't you know that doctors in the ophtalmic section are leaving this island to specialize abroad? They are leaving behind their loved ones and sacrifice everything in order to specialize. There is no specialization courses in Malta. You cannot serve your clients without specialisation.