Vince Tanti, San Ġwann
A consultant who stands out for his humanity
It has been reported that a consultant, Massimo Abela, withheld treatment (July 4).
My wife and I have both used Dr Abela's excellent services on a number of occasions both at state hospitals as well as in his private practice and I feel duty bound to defend this excellent physician in the light of this claim.
From my experience and that of others whom I have, without hesitation, recommended to Dr Abela, I can state that he does not treat his patients differently whether he is seeing them in a state hospital or in private practice.
Anyone who knows him can vouch for his jovial character and attitude and agree with me in dismissing forthright the claim about him being arrogant. In fact he is rather a no-nonsense and down-to-earth consultant who does not believe in costly tests when he thinks that the body can eventually adjust, even if the patient has to live with some pain for some time. My wife and I have been thankfully told by Dr Abela to live with this type of pain occasionally, and true to his word our treatment was completed in a short while without further unnecessary discomfort or costs.
He has often also refused to accept payment from us, perhaps in the knowledge of our sizeable family. This is further evidence of the deep humanity of the man.
We are often too quick off the mark in judging people, particularly people we do not even know. We do not take a minute to think about the damage we might cause to others, before it is too late to do anything about it.
I am sure Dr Abela's character will see him through this temporary situation.
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Louis Gatt
Jul 11th 2009, 21:07
Dr Massimo Abela had prolonged my father’s life by three years.
This thanks to his exceptional ability as an orthopedic surgeon.
He has always been very considerate with my parents who both have been his patients.
Notwithstanding his very busy schedule he has always found the time to see them whatever the reason was.
A very kind and positive person indeed. All my family is grateful to Dr Abela.
Giovanna Gatt
Caroline Schembri
Jul 11th 2009, 19:21
Well, the law does not apply to treatment of a person by reason of any allegation made by him/her if the allegation was false and not made in good faith.A consultant would have maintained records of the patient and these are legally binding.Other witnesses of fact can ultimately give a clearer picture of what happened.Her husband, who witnessed the event, could also perceive all the suffering she was going through.I am certain that words like ' nothing else could be done and that coming here yet again was a waste of time' added to their pains.Crude as it might sound, the patient has to understand that in many cases one has to wait patiently & see how nature takes its course.The couple should have had more faith in Dr.Abela.I am sure that a second opinion would have proved the consultant correct. Re arrogance, a consultant, had the right to give her a good ticking off if by going to a masseur she aggravated her condition.If a consultant doesnt possess such authority, who does?Consultants face a busy schedule & have no time for elaboration - they have to be firm before any irresponsible acts.After all this is not a play ground!
Dr Simon Paris
Jul 10th 2009, 21:17
Sir
As you have correctly stated, all these people 'commenting' in the Times cannot know exactly what went on because they were not there at the time.
Mr Abela is a friend and colleague of mine, and I have heard the facts from the horse's mouth, and from those who were with him at the time.
What I can state for a fact is that I know Mr Abela to be a competent and caring professional who would never refuse treatment to anyone.
If only newspapers stick to publishing well researched facts, reputations would not be needlessly harmed, and people would be less inclined to invent stories that seemed to get published so easily nowadays.
S. Vella
Jul 10th 2009, 10:28
Although I have known Massimo since our university days, we lost touch with each other while we followed our separate career paths.
A particularly bad sports injury last January gave me the opportunity to meet him again. Seven months down the line I am back to normal without having had to spend a fortune on unecessary tests and medical procedures. It is refreshing to meet a consultant that will not "sugar the pill" about your condition and who will assertively lay down the law on your treatment.
Vince Tanti says it all in my opinion. Massimo is one of our finest medical consultants.
peter murray
Jul 10th 2009, 10:22
Sir,
It is highly commendable that you speak as you find according to your own experience.However,have not the complainants against the consultant merely done precisely the same?Very few people know exactly what occurred in this scenario yet all appear perfectly able and willing to comment ad verbatim on what happened and denegrate the people making these allegations against the consultant.What possible benefit could these people gain from fabricating such claims?I do not know either the consultant or the people lodging a claim against him and somewhere out there lies the truth,but only they alone know what this is!.However,in my experience of consultants per se humility does not appear high on their list of attributes in the vast majority of cases-not all ,but unfortunately too many for comfort.So whilst it is admirable to defend a service receieved from any medical professional do not automatically assume that each and every patient receives the exact same treatment,for past experience is not an immutably true indicator of present or future treatment.