Ariadne Massa
Minister's comment irks sexual health policy promoter
Philip Carabot: "It would be the easiest thing on earth to confine myself to seeing patients, and stay out of controversies." Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.
The lone crusader of sexual health promotion, Philip Carabot, is prepared to throw in the towel after taking offence to Social Policy Minister John Dalli's accusations that he had a personal agenda.
"If the Honourable Minister Dalli, or anybody else in the Health Ministry, for that matter, really believes I have a personal agenda and that my lobbying is irresponsible and merely self-publicity, then all they have to do is ask for my resignation. I will be very happy to comply," Dr Carabot, GU Clinic consultant head, said.
Though Mr Dalli did not mention him by name when he spoke to The Times on Tuesday, Dr Carabot felt the minister was clearly referring to him. He was extremely irked by Mr Dalli's remarks when he said: "You write a lot of stuff in the newspaper because you are pushing your agenda or someone else's. Quote me on this! You have to be responsible because the agenda of the country is different than the agenda of individuals."
Dr Carabot retorted: "I would like to make it absolutely clear I have been actively lobbying for the introduction of a National Sexual Health Policy because I believe it to be essential for the health and well-being of our young people.
"It would be the easiest thing on earth to confine myself to seeing patients and stay out of controversies. But to do this I would be failing in my duties, as well as failing the very same patients I see," he added.
For the past decade, Dr Carabot has been the only public health official consistently campaigning to raise awareness as youngsters continue having rampant unprotected casual sex. He has also been pushing to have a National Sexual Health Policy that would give the country direction but, despite the efforts - since 1999 three drafts have been prepared, it failed to be included in the 2010 Budget.
A day after Monday's Budget, Mr Dalli insisted the policy should have been included and implied it had been withdrawn by the Finance Ministry. In reply, a ministry spokesman had said that every ministry presented its shopping list but it was impossible to include every proposal. Sources had said that if the policy was going to be implemented in an effective, comprehensive way it would cost "hundreds of thousands of euros", which would explain why it was left out.
However, the policy is crucial to the island's sexual health because, once published, it will provide the framework and overall direction of where Malta should be going.
Dr Carabot has long been harping on the need to raise awareness about sexually-transmitted diseases and pushing to see the policy's introduction, especially since 70 per cent of the nearly 14,000 people who visited the GU Clinic since 2000 never used a condom.
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A Bezzina
Nov 12th 2009, 19:02
The problem is that when we get a genuine caring doctor we cant believe it/. As for our minister of health, he is an accountant not a doctor.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Nov 12th 2009, 17:24
Martinelli: your comment is just unbelievable! It shows that you will go to any length to defend the undefensable. First, since you do not know what a National Sexual Health Policy is, why are you throwing about suggestions? Second, a "policy" is being proposed and not regulation. Third, as you do not live in Malta I do not think you care what happens to our young people. Nobody teaches them anything about safe sex. So you are happy to see them get sick. And what about the cost of curing them? I suppose you will argue that it was their own doing! Incredible. I suppose in Canada no such policy exists, right?
Frank Muscat
Nov 12th 2009, 15:15
Minister John Dalli's reported comment rightly irks sexual health policy promoter Dr Philip Carabott. It would be a shame if Dr.Carabot were to resign from his post - we need people like him with integrity and courage to say the word in season and out of season. Tomorrow never leaves a secret in the book of eternity.
One could go on speculating ad nauseam about the underlying reason for Mr Dalli's resistance to a sexual health policy as defined in the past by Dr. Carabott. I believe a public confession from Mr Dalli regarding this issue will be in order.
Mr Dalli has dismally failed as Minister of Health and Social Policy. He has singularly failed to introduce a Children Act, to significantly enhance the post of the Commissioner for Children, to signal the green light for an introduction of a sex offenders register, to push ahead with his loud-mouth utterance on divorce several months ago, to engage in open dialogue with the gay community, to win the trust of medical consultants, to tackle satifactorily the hospital's waiting list...
How easy it is to blame individuals or entities for one's incompetence!
Chris Finch
Nov 12th 2009, 15:01
Dr Carabot,
Keep up the good work and ignore those who critisise you for trying to protect and educate. Keep lobbying hard. Ministers come and go, hopefully soon we will have someone more enlightened and aware of problems facing society instead of this current bunch with their heads in the clouds.
J Martinelli
Nov 12th 2009, 14:24
It would be extremely interesting if Dr. Carabot would explain to the uneducated mortals what a National Sexual Health Policy would consist of.
1. Free distribution of condoms?
2. Education regarding STDs?
3. Abstention from casual intercourse?
4. Etc., etc.
Is the government responsible for each individual's decision whether or not to engage in unhealthy sexual practices? Are we to be regulated in all aspects of our personal lives? Why create another layer of bureaucracy?
C Farrugia
Nov 12th 2009, 13:32
@J Farrugia
if you aren't a doctor or psychologist or not working in the medical field, you have no idea of the problems there are in sexual health. so please do not attack Dr Carabot personally, he is only doing his job and duty as a doctor in safeguarding people's health, it seems you are the one being immoral in your attacking this consultant, your attitude seems to threatening and I find it unacceptable, as psychologists and doctors, we have a duty to speak out and prevent diseases and see that the necessary money is allocated to this prevention.
Carmelo Aquilina
Nov 12th 2009, 13:28
@ Mr Farrugia
You have the right to follow the Chruch's teachings rather than take scientific advice from an expert, but stop personally abusing people who disagree with you. If you know better than Dr Carabott then explain yourself rather then giving us illogical arguments. It is more moral to use contraception than to spread disease.
If the Hon. Minister Dalli has chosen to ignore expert advice, then he has to give a reason for it and if he is choosing to pander to the church at the expense of people's health and life, then we truly have become a theocracy !
Ian Chetcuti
Nov 12th 2009, 12:05
@ J Farrugia
Get a life!
jmifsud
Nov 12th 2009, 11:34
Dr.Carabott is perfectly right. No one is in a better position than him to see how to handle this health problem. Also I think, in the long run, preventing would be cheaper than treating illnesses, besides the social problems they create. Hear we are dealing mostly with youths, who are bombarded constantly through media and peer pressure that everything goes and all is rosy, until mother luck turns it's face away. Then they start to see the real world, and realise the mistake they have made.
We are in the EU, come on, in most European countries there are programmes, starting from home, to schools and than either on TV or magazines, but somehow they are always reminded of the risks. Also when somebody shows his opinion they do not try to shut him up but a mature discussion is made, not like in Malta.
I think that is the way head of departments must work, do the utmost professionally, not keep tight lipped, not to offend somebody else. In my opinion if he did not talk, statistics sooner or later will tell us that he mismanaged his department, and then he would have had a hidden agenda.
Joseph Cauchi
Nov 12th 2009, 11:27
I cannot stand how certain correspondents in this column are quick to jump to criticise anything this Government happens to do.
They are the same lot and immediately one looks up the name of the correspondent, one immediately realises and knows beforehand what the contents of their comments would be!
Why is it that these correspondents have to be so partisan every time they air their views; and can’t we have a decent discussion without any political bias?
I am sure, it’s only wishful thinking!
I find this kind of behaviour so puerile.
JC.
Dr A Licari
Nov 12th 2009, 11:17
The journalist is wrong to call Dr Carabot a "lone crusader". Many doctors, politicians, educators, psychologists, sociologists etc. have expressed themselves the same way as Dr Carabot. Many "lone crusaders" make a crowd of crusaders.
Alex Vella Gregory
Nov 12th 2009, 11:03
@ j farrugia
#1 if Dr Carabott is to step down, he will exit through the front door. Let's leave the backdoor to those who exit shamefully and quietly, not for those who do their job properly
#2 every now and then, come out of your pseudo-moralistic bubble and face the facts. Whether we like it or not, sexualy diseases ARE on the increase, and at a very fast rate. Since when is the medical field divided into priorities? Is this to say that someone suffering from cancer is more important then someone with terminal bronchitis? I hope that you never have to get to the point where you need medical care and are denied on the grounds that there are others who need 'far more attention'
Ramon Casha
Nov 12th 2009, 10:52
Philip Carabot enjoys ten times the trust of any politician.
Joe Cassar
Nov 12th 2009, 10:45
Shame on Minister Dalli!
An apology is clearly in order.
Chris Farrugia
Nov 12th 2009, 10:35
By ignoring Dr Carabott's plea, Minister Dalli and the gov push their own agenda which is the Church's agenda i.e. the only way to avoid unwanted pregnancies and STDs is by abstaining. In the real world, everyone knows that this is rarely possible. Yes, Dr. Carabott has his own agenda, he wants a healthier generation, he is sick of seeing teenagers with STDs and broken families because of unwanted pregnancies.. should we fault him for this? If an awareness campaign would save even one person from getting AIDS then all the money spent would have been worth it. But.. wait a sec.. this is holier than thou Malta, what would people think if you advertise safe sex on PBS at prime time?!? Can imagine all the crusaders joining swords against the heretic goverment.
C Farrugia
Nov 12th 2009, 10:20
@J farrugia
You said "i believe everyone knows what is right and wrong and no excuses". are you joking? the reality is different and not so easy, especially as far as sexuality is concerned. It is about time we see reality in the face, that our young people are not at all well informed regarding STDs, AIDS, etc, the amount of unwanted teenage pregnancies is also showing this, also the rampant incidences of STD's. in Germany, through very good prevention campaigning, the new cases of HIV infection are going down and condoms are very widely used. this is not the case in Malta and even HIV new infections are on the rise, apart oher diseases. Dr Carabott is doing well to push the issue, but money needs to be invested in this, otherwise we are giving the message the health of our youth is not important to us, and the youth will be our future society
mark grima
Nov 12th 2009, 09:57
If anyone wants to find conclusive evidence that Malta is a backward country run by deceitful and calculating politicians, then the saga of the National Sexual Health Policy is the place to look. What is amazing about the credulous people who have manipulated this debate to suit their superstitious and childish world-view is their willingness to believe the most outlandish claims about life and the universe, whilst refusing to look self-evident facts in the face.
J Farrugia
Nov 12th 2009, 09:41
If this consultant is not happy with what the Minister rightly said, he can use the back door which is always open to one and all. Priorities are to be served first not other people's irresponsible and liberal agendas. There are much more important health matters which need far more attention than sexual health promotion. I believe everyone knows what is right and what is wrong and no excuses.