On a sordid medical affair

The resignation of Professor Stephen Brincat from his position as head of the Oncology Department is a sad but honest outcome in a distinguished career. It is also explosive in its implications and an eye-opener about how the government works.

Prof. Brincat summarised the reasons for his resignation by saying that the government repeatedly ignored his advice on various important issues, making his position untenable. The issues included a decision to amalgamate two specialities, oncology and haematology, under one chairman, designated to be Prof. Brincat.

The specialist felt that accepting such an appointment would be presumptuous since he was not an expert in both fields. Also, administrative responsibilities would leave him no time for patients.

That was the last straw which made resign.

Rather than expressing respect for such an honest position, and regret at losing Prof. Brincat as head of the Oncology Department, the Health Ministry spouted callous arrogance, classifying the event as an opportunity. “His resignation was accepted,” said the Health Ministry, “providing the opportunity for…new and exciting changes to occur and for all the developments that have long been planned to finally be rolled out, and also to bring this department to acceptable international standard.”

The venom, nothing less, in this statement is breathtaking. Rather than recognising Prof. Brincat’s contribution to the plans and developments it was referring to, it attempted to paint the professor as the major stumbling block. It also tried to paint his department as sub-standard. I have received medical treatment abroad, but not in Oncology. That was reserved by fate for me in a current development.

I can vouch that the treatment I and others are receiving at the Oncology unit in Sir Paul Boffa Hospital is exceptional. The care and the caring, without fuss or fanfare, are near perfect. Prof. Brincat ran a good ship with a fine crew. Easily comparable to the treatment I received abroad. It is shameful that the Health Ministry should try to rubbish the man rather than praising and thanking him.

The ministry’s attitude only made Prof. Brincat express himself more clearly. He revealed things that are astounding, in addition to the muddled planning by the Ministry regarding the Oncology Department which cost the public purse untold thousands of euros, and wasted precious years in the planning process. Yesterday’s The Sunday Times and MaltaToday had grim stories to report.

Prof. Brincat told this newspaper’s sister that cancer patients treated at the Gozo hospital have died from chemotherapy because treatment was administered without the necessary expertise. The Health Department nonchalantly commented that severe medical reactions could happen anywhere, whether in Malta or in Gozo.

That is totally unacceptable. An independent board of enquiry should be appointed to look into Prof. Brincat’s statement. Cancer can lead to premature death, yes, but death due to lack of expertise could have been avoided.

The ministry tied itself up in ugly knots trying to counter Prof. Brincat. It told The Sunday Times that he had strongly opposed attempts to introduce chemotherapy in Gozo, on the premise that Gozitan medical and nursing staff did not have the necessary expertise. Apparently he was proved right, was he not?

MaltaToday reported that he had claimed there was political interference in the Oncology Department, and that was not a reference to being told in reply to reasoned objections to operational issues that a political decision had been taken. The interference is being told which patients not to discharge and ones to admit. That is a terrible accusation.

Politics pollutes much of life in Malta. But that there should be political interference in health is reprehensible. Some time ago I chewed on an allegation made to me by a patient who sought political assistance. He was told that he had gone to the “wrong” specialist. He changed the specialist and was duly admitted to hospital. I doubted that could happen, now I’m not so sure.

Someone has to bear responsibility for what Prof. Brincat stated, which was far more than I have commented upon. This sordid affair cannot end here.