Bureaucracy weighs down obesity crisis

It appears that Claudette Buttigieg from the Ministry for Health, Elderly and Community Care (Efforts To Address The Growing Obesity Problem, June 2), or rather her employers, cannot fathom the concept of constructive criticism. They resort to a direct attack on me for having dared criticise their efficiency. Well, their letter just augments the image they themselves have created of a poorly coordinated local response to the obesity problem.

The effort they are putting in - by the way people want a solution not an "effort" - is laudable. However, by their own admission they confirm that the inter-sectoral committee on obesity has still not delivered their recommendations. They are proud that these will be delivered by the end of the year. Are they really serious in considering this something to boast about? Is this the level of inefficiency, or rather, incompetence they are happy to put up with? Three years for a report, no matter how intricate the problem is, is just not acceptable by any standards.

"It is hoped that when it comes to the crunch, the department will find the support of all as exhorted by Dr Micallef Stafrace." Well the crunch came long ago and the response has been found wanting.

I know Minister Joseph Cassar is all out to tackle the local obesity problem, and as I wrote in my letter, I sincerely hope he is given the means to do so. Flaunting a measly €150,000 allocation just shows how far down the pecking order a real solution is for our government. We all know how many millions are being spent on other projects, some more urgent than others. However there is one small difference - obesity kills and the health of our nation should always be a priority and not a PR exercise.

This official response was for me a personal disappointment. I expected better from the people who hold the health of our country in their hands.