Mater Dei scam being investigated

Roderick Micallef

Aug 24th 2010, 11:35

To Mr.P Pace Balzan,
Well I wouldn't be aware whether Fiscal receipts for the medical profession (and related) were withdrawn app 8 years ago however thanks for the information but I can assure you that what I mentioned is the truth.
As I explained, at first we were not given a fiscal receipt but simply an invoice drafted (not even printed) on an A4 paper (not a letterhead), infact at that time I suggested my family to refrain from paying the invoice unless it is a proper invoice. When we complained we were issued a proper formal invoice (at least that is what it seemed to us) from the supplier of the VAC machines (not from Mater Dei as we were informed that the machines were being rented from this private supplier as the government didn't have enough funds to buy the machines).
When we complained that my uncle is a social case and can't afford all those costs we were instructed to go to Malta community chest fund to get 80% of the costs refunded, which we did but we were asked for a fiscal receipt which was also given to us by the private supplier of VAC machines!

Michael Catania

Aug 23rd 2010, 19:31

Why are people surprised about the scam that was going on in Mater Dei. Corruption is rife on this island. what people have to understand is that only the bottom rung culprits are ever dealt with. What any intellegent person knows is, that corruption starts from the top and work its way to the lower levels. And how many top rung persons have ever been dealt in the past -not any I know of.

J Micallef

Aug 23rd 2010, 19:22

How VERY convenient for the Government! Using a nurse and a salesman as scapegoats when it is FULLY aware that this treatment is ORDERED by consultants, who in their turn are fully aware that this treatment is NOT free! But Consultants and Doctors are more equal than others.

Adrian Grech

Aug 23rd 2010, 14:40

disgustanti.ta tqalih kif gejna.hadt mhu responsabli?

mercieca p

Aug 23rd 2010, 13:50

So first one has to go for treatment not offered free by Public Health and then we claim off the Community chest Fund To me it seems we are going round in circles We need loads of reality checks in Malta One of them is health Some politician with guts needs to take the bull by it's horns. There is no such thing as free service If we continue with this trend, who will suffer in the end ? Those who live near the poverty line while the well off people are connected enough to get a free quick service anyway tru their webs
Health should have never been politicized

Robert Calafato

Aug 23rd 2010, 13:40

Money, Money, Money!!

Forget Christian values,....... It's all about monetary values now!!!!

D.Degaetano

Aug 23rd 2010, 09:44

Oh well....not to worry....they'll get a suspended sentence after all, won't they???

Roderick Micallef

Aug 23rd 2010, 09:34

Unfortunately one of the victims was actually my uncle, we thought that something was terribly strange but even though we raised our concern with various authorities no one really did anything about it.
To add insult to injury we were even told to apply to get most of the funds refunded from Malta Community Chest fund since my uncle could not afford the exorbitant cost which included 16 euros per day for the VAC machine but also included bandaging, tubing and other consumables.
At first we were not given an actual fiscal receipt but after we complained (since Malta community chest fund requested a fiscal receipt as otherwise the funds couldn't be refunded) we were given a fiscal receipt and therefore applied for the refund, which so far has not been received as far as I know.
My enquiry is, will the people that have been fraunded refunded? Why did it take so long for the culprit to actually get caught considering this was such a blatant abuse? Will the names of those responsible be published as soon as the investigation is over and confirmed? For me this is a huge shame especially since sick people were the victims!

reno calleja

Aug 22nd 2010, 23:19

This is not the only scam that is going on at Mater Dei

Most of the specialists and consultants will not see you personally at Mater Dei as an outpatient, unless you go to their private clinics and pay them a lot of money.

There are off course exceptions. Indeed some consultants are a shining example of honesty and integrity and are dedicated to the patients. One I have in mind arrives in hospital at 7.a.m.

Witness what is happening in one particular department. One has to wait almost a year to get an appointment with the consultant. You arrive there and instead of being seen by the specialist you are seen by a junior doctor who probably does not know the difference between a panadol and an aspirin. This junior doctor orders a special examination related to the ilness of the patient. The patient is than unceremoniously informed that he or she has to wait another year to do this particular examination. You are left with no other option but to go a private clinic.
If this is not a racket, please illuminate me.

Claire Busuttil

Aug 22nd 2010, 22:54

Simply disgusting!!! these people, should really be ashamed of their behaviour, towards, those most vulnerable and weak.

If I wear you, I would lock myself in a basement and stay there, for the shame!!

You are a really bad example for humanity, especially the nurse....I hope that the punishment is a harsh one!

Paul Borg

Aug 22nd 2010, 21:58

The biggest scam at Mater Dei Hospital was the building of the hospital itself where extra millions of euros over and above what was budgeted have been forwarded by GonziPN to contactors. And what the taxpayer got in turn? Hundreds of square meters of derelict empty space and never-ending corridors instead of a sufficient amount of beds to cater for the patient’s needs. Hope that as happened in this case, which I condemn without reservations, an inquiry will be launched to investigate how this State of Disgrace hospital has become already obsolete within months of opening.

shirley borg

Aug 22nd 2010, 19:30

qed nghixu f' pajjiz fejn il- kuxjenza tlifniha . irridu nahdmu ghal aktar gustizzja favur l-imsejken ul-batut.

Cecil Herbert Jones

Aug 22nd 2010, 19:08

When interviewing or auditioning potential staffers at hospitals and old people's homes, including St Vincent de Paule, authorities should consider whether such would-be personnel is capable of adding insult to injury. If yes then their application and resume' should instantly be dropped and 'ticked'.

There is a widespread racket on the island, by now heavily rooted, whereby hospital staff, which includes security, and police (rank doesn't matter), provide names, addresses of next of kins of dying patients to undertakers for a small commission. Doesn't it shudder anyone to think that their loved ones, mortally sick in a hospital are visited by staff who do not intend to breathe new life into them but rather to suss out if they're going to die soon or not? There have been many instances where these undertakers (vultures) have approached families informing them their loved one has died and to offer their funeral shopping list! There are times when the patient has fully recovered but the undertaker still pitches the family. This is big business, a funeral costs a minimum of £2000 and these undertakers get as many as four to six or more funerals a week!

Parliament should pass the Dracula Act !

Gerard Cassar

Aug 22nd 2010, 17:44

Some specialists who are consulted outside hospital once and then receive an appointment to be seen at the hospital, end up by no longer being called at the hospital, and have to visit the specialist privately against a fee of course. This has happened not far of.

M.Tonna

Aug 22nd 2010, 14:43

Once a good example is made of these greedy people, others will thing twice about abusing the system. Much has been promised to whistle blowers, perhaps the time has come to start doing something about it!

Charles Micallef

Aug 22nd 2010, 12:53

Totally agree with Albert Fenech and let us hope that the culprits are dismissed instantly if for no other reason, to warn others who are contemplating such scums!

M Mifsud

Aug 22nd 2010, 12:34

Malta needs a change

ALBERT FENECH

Aug 22nd 2010, 12:27

Beyond belief. Incredible! Will these hyenas and vultures be dismissed from their employment. Will there be resignations? In our modern version of "justice" will these persons be given a "warning" and a suspended sentence by the Court? Or will the Mater Dei authorities sit on the fence like the Tranpsort Authority who are chickening out of taking action against the driver who insulted the Spanish tourist and feign "inability" to take action because the Police are proceeding? What a shambolic country these islands have become. Nobody actually has the backbone to do anything concrete and tangible!

tonio zerafa

Aug 22nd 2010, 12:21

Symptom of the times! It show what supervision is applied in Mater Dei! poor Mlatese Citizen and tax payers. There is no one to protect them. ttypical of a third world country if you ask me.

Nick Galea

Aug 22nd 2010, 11:52

Why haven't the offenders been named and shamed? They are scum, sipicable people!

Mike Farrugia

Aug 22nd 2010, 11:23

Members of staff should not be allowed to work part time with companies who have direct interest in hospital supplies. Unfortunately, companies tend to employ hospital employees as salespersons and advisors in order to obtain inside information and secure more sales to the government service. Zero tolerance is what we need. Better still, all hospital employees, (including consultants etc) should not be allowed to work privately. There is too much conflict of interest going on.
Dear minister. The shortage of nurses has nothing to do with the hospital problems. Get rid of the old vampires and you will solve most of the problems overnight.

Lina Caruana

Aug 22nd 2010, 11:17

Some issues are not political ! They simply imply the unhealthy syndrome of the society we live in because of decadent values. I wonder why some people divert them to politics and seem to be protecting wrong does by their diversions.

eric psaila

Aug 22nd 2010, 10:39

@Lina Caruana/Joseph Micallef

I participate in these forums for two reasons
1)To have my voice heard
2)To learn from others

@Lina Caruana

Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

@Joseph Micallef
It seems you are missing out on my point no 2. Ms Lina Caruana is not blaming the government. She is merely sharing an experience and was kind enough to inform us about the risks. You should be thankful and not attack her.

JOSEPH ZAMMIT

Aug 22nd 2010, 10:31

It is amazing how crime and abuse are on the increase on this tiny island of ours. I believe that as long as crime laws/punishments remain lenient, the solution is far away-- of course, to the detriment of the would be victims!

gaffarena joseph

Aug 22nd 2010, 10:21

This is the tip of an iceberg.

Paul micallef

Aug 22nd 2010, 10:05

Am sorry to add my coment, but this is how we feel, in DISPEAR, everywhere you go you must pay through you teeth,i mean everything, you go to a proffessor, or to a solicitor, or for private tution for your kids, anything, and i mean anything, you feel as you are nothing,and if you do not have any money,just roll over and die.
The feeling is mutual through out the Maltese societiy, we are been over charged for everything.One can not live beyond his means, but let us be fair, we can not keep on going like this, as if we are nothing and wh n you complain no one listens too you, do you feel like this?
Shame on these people that have dameged the image of the Health sector, is it possible that no one from the management knew what was going on?
We are a small country a proud country, but i think that we have turned into a selfish nation, that only thinks about its self.

May Cassar

Aug 22nd 2010, 09:43

Scams to steal from the rich have always been very common and to be deplored . But when one human being tries to benifit from the plight of an other human being who is going through a bad time and needs all the compassion and help he / she can get ,that is really the lowest a person can go. These people should be made to refund every single euro plus interest and handed a hefty fine and prison term, so as to be made an example to other would be scammers.

GBorg

Aug 22nd 2010, 09:35

Although vac therapy has significant benefits when treating infected wounds this should never happen.

(this should be provided by the government as a free service - has been around the medical world for the last 10 yrs)


Apart from that if found guilty , can we have their names? also the nurse should have her registration taken away (as what happens in any other country) not still allowed to practise, re-imbursement as well as a big fine and possibly prison sentence is in the order.

Exploiting sick and vulnerable patients, the same patients you are supposed to make better and keep safe is utterly wrong

m.Camilleri

Aug 22nd 2010, 09:32

Ha nejduwha kif inhi din il bicca hija skandlu mil kbar, imma xi nejdu li jekk ma tmurx ghand professur privat biex iqabzek il que jew biex loperazjoni jaghmililek iktar bil qalb dawn mhux ukoll abbuzzi imma hadd ma jitkellem ghax dawn il professuri hafna minhom huwa ta klassi gholja u xi ftit minhom jaf ikunu xi parlamentari.Dan sewwa aluwra thallas mijiet ta euros il dawn il professuri u haga ohra tkellemu ma min tridu u kull hadd jejdlek li jekk jarak professur privat izejjel bik u jekk tmur lisptar jarak dubina ghax ma ikunx qalla il flus min fuq darek ghax dak li qallu it taxxi biex jaqalaq il paga mhux il poplu ihallashom ,nahseb li aw bzonn zabra tajba min ta fuq il flus gennew il kull u il ligi jaghmila min jikmanda. il polplu kull mi smat gurnata wahda kull 5 snin il bqija bicca ta lart kull jum.

Carmel Cilia

Aug 22nd 2010, 09:27

Malta has surely become a very corrupt country: corruption is present in all spheres of life this contrasts heavily with what we were promised in the 1987 election by the ex nationalist prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami- 'Neqred il- korruzjoni bl-gheruq u x-niexel'.
Any body still dares believe what .politicians say and promise: surely I don't

Lina Caruana

Aug 22nd 2010, 09:22

Another set of organized crime may exist at Mater Dei from cheeky individuals around the hospital as workers who enforce the removal of handbags from patients undergoing treatment where it is accessible to an organized set of thieves who steal house keys and belongings from the handbags. Doctors and nurses who have experienced this behaviour need to come forward with evidence to the police .

l fenech

Aug 22nd 2010, 08:58

X'bajna nisimghu.

Anthony Borg

Aug 22nd 2010, 08:57

If (IF) proven guilty, expulsion from the Nursing profession for the nurse, refunds to all individuals concerned and a prison sentence to both - not suspended. These kind of scam(mers) are vultures in our society and society expects to be protected from those that abuse it.

Vincent Galea

Aug 22nd 2010, 08:46

It is difficult to be human.