Rather than improving, the management of the healthcare system appears to be losing direction. That is what the setting up of a reception tent for influenza patients outside what is supposed to be a state-of-the-art hospital suggested. The tent was duly removed in no time following the people’s anger but what stands out is the apparent tendency on the government’s part to do things haphazardly or without enough consideration and consultation.
It is precisely this that is most worrying. The very fact that it had to be the Prime Minister to order the removal of the tent speaks volumes in the context of a situation in which the administrators appear to find it hard to grapple with contingencies as they arise.
As if it is not enough to have patients suffering the indignity of being seen to in corridors, the setting up of the reception tent outside the hospital was the ultimate in bad planning and management.
When can the country hope to start seeing tangible improvement in the running of the general hospital and of the health service? This was not just a case of showing insensitivity but, also, of lack of foresight.
Explaining his side of the story, the health minister said that in his haste to have a contingency plan to tide them over till the end of February, “I understand that I did not explain this temporary measure adequately to the public or stakeholders”.
He said he never consulted with the Prime Minister on this issue, “so I understand his reaction”.
Does he think the public would have accepted his solution to the contingency had he tried to explain it? He also seems to indirectly imply he ought to have consulted the Prime Minister.
This is a kind of mentality that, if it were allowed to flourish further, would keep Malta anchored to outdated practices. All right, maybe the issue is not a resigning matter but there ought to be greater responsibility in the running of the health service.
The minister should leave the running of the hospital entirely in the hands of professional people. He should not get involved in micro management affairs.
The Opposition is quite right in saying it is about time the government starts governing. All experts in management business are all of one mind over the need for the elimination of political interference in the running of the service.
This is what the John Dalli report (‘Mater Dei Hospital — A better social return’) said on the hospital: “There must not be political interference that for many years rendered the management of this hospital as an ineffectual accessory that implemented decisions taken by the Health Ministry or the Office of the Prime Minister. My appeal to the government is that if we really want an efficient hospital — hands off.”
Those views are surely shared by most people, including the hospital’s chief executive officer.
Last Sunday, the Prime Minister announced that the government will soon unveil its “strategy” for the health sector. He was reported saying that tough decisions would have to be taken and they would not shy away from taking them.
Considering all the promises made before the election, the country had expected the government to start delivering after taking over. It has not.
However, what matters most at this stage is that the ‘strategy’ that the Prime Minister is talking about is right from the start and not half-baked as was the cash-for-passport scheme.