Silent tears and silent heroes

Much has been said and heard about the crisis taking place in Libya over the last few months. I will not write about Muammar Gaddafi, his family, the rebels, their leaders, the new government, Nato, the war…

Instead, I would like to write about the silent tears and the silent heroes I was privileged to en-counter in recent days. As Minister of Health, I steered the reception of a number of persons arriving from Libya to seek medical care in our country.

As the injured reached our land, one’s thoughts were immediately drawn and narrowly focused upon the individual persons who were here to receive the medical care they urgently needed. Col Gaddafi, the rebels, the war, the government and Nato were pushed to the back of the stage of a scenario which we have been witnessing over the last few months.

The pain, the suffering, the misfortune, the misery, the poverty of these persons, as they finally found medical care here, now fronted the stage. Their silent tears came right to the front of the scenario.

Among the constant coverage of the crisis in the media, reports about the tears of these individuals were somewhat silenced by the achievement of the rebels, the resistance of the Gaddafi loyalists and so on. The pain, helplessness and suffering were often silent. We have now been privileged to receive these persons in our country and the silence of their tears has been broken. As always, we will offer optimal care to all of those who will seek medical assistance in our country.

Mirroring the excellent services offered by other authorities, such as the police and civil protection forces and airport services, the health care staff at Mater Dei was excellent on all counts. The nurses’ prompt cooperation, dedication and expertise was impressive. The doctors’ immediate availability and collaboration was great. The administrative staff ensured a perfect rolling of the exercise. All other professionals and workers on all floors chipped in excellently as needed. Indeed, a true example of teamwork and coordination in a hospital brimming with activity by silent heroes.

Despite the extreme workload on their laps, and the un-favourable reporting and support in some media and unions, regarding this additional new mission of Mater Dei Hospital to care for the wounded of the Libya crisis, Mater Dei Hospital’s silent heroes rose to the occasion and fully met the needs of those holding the, till then, silent tears of those arriving from Libya, while they ensured service as usual delivered by MDH. True heroes! Why have we allowed them to be silent ones? I wonder!

The private sector, St James Hospital, is contributing marvellously. In tandem with the public services, its services, its workforce are rising to the occasion with much compassion, sensitivity and commitment. It is a pleasure to see the government wisely draw upon, again, the contribution of the private sector to reach heightening demands.

I shall write no further. I simply invite you to join me in my resolution to keep these silent tears and silent heroes closer to the mind and heart, and actively acknowledge them from now on. Their silence should not continue to undermine them to the extent that they go unnoticed. They are tears and heroes we should all know about and address accordingly, always.

Dr Cassar is Minister for Health, the Elderly and Community Care