Queuing for hours

One cannot ignore and not appreciate the many beneficial measures taken by this administration with regards to the community, especially the sick and vulnerable.

But then it seems all this is overshadowed when for some reason, these people are let down and disappointed.

A case in point is that about sick people queueing for hours at St Luke’s Hospital to get free medicine cards (July 3).

It is no excuse to say that one can apply for free medicines by post. Many sick and illiterate people are unable to do that. One should expect to be attended to promptly at St Luke’s and not wait for long hours until he is exhausted by the summer heat, and hungry and thirsty for a sandwich and a cup of tea.

Labour health spokesman Marie Louise Coleiro blamed the situation on lack of resources. While it was a good decision to increase the list of free medicines from 38 to 79, the number of staff serving the patients should also have increased accordingly.

When the authorities realise that a system is inefficient and the public is suffering, something must be done immediately.