Tall challenge. Huge satisfaction. Some disappointment. Much gratitude. Keen determination.

An overwhelming sense of gratitude perhaps best fits my current sentiment

These five phrases sum up the outcome of my initial reflection upon my term as Minister of Health, Elderly and Community Care, 2008-2013.

When I was summoned by Lawrence Gonzi to take up the post of parliamentary secretary in 2008, I was well aware of the magnitude of the challenge I was asked to tackle. Indeed it grew no smaller as the days, months and years rolled on. Exponential growth in the demand for health care services across the population, global tightening against the economical and financial backdrops, resilient unions and increased strains on the health care workforce were a few of the factors that ensured the size of the challenge did not wane. My team and I sought to leave no stone unturned in addressing it. What did our efforts lead to?

Personally, I confess they led to huge satisfaction, coupled with some disappointment. Throughout the years, satisfying evidence of enhanced access and delivery of care to patients manifested in expressions of positive feedback, thanks, satisfaction, praise and appreciation from all walks of life, was coupled with volumes of negative, destructive criticism mostly emanating from the Labour camp. The satisfaction drawn from noting the uptake of opportunities by the health workforce to train and develop, locally and overseas, was accompanied by some touches of ungratefulness from small pockets of current and prospective students, trainees, workers and professionals.

It yielded huge satisfaction to close my term in office with strategies pertaining to all of the major areas of the healthcare arena in the bag, an oncology centre and regional health hubs in the pipeline, a fairer free drug entitlement system in place, access to world class overseas specialised centres and a series of shorter waiting times for operations and medical investigations. In turn, the disappointment arising from failed discussions with some others, limited co-operation from certain parties, and the not easily controllable restriction of resources yielded a certain degree of disappointment. Where has this dyad of satisfaction and disappointment now taken me? An overwhelming sense of gratitude perhaps best fits my current sentiment. First of all I am grateful to the Lawrence Gonzi for the trust he demonstrated in me when I was asked to take up the role as a minister within his Cabinet. I publicly thank him. I am equally grateful towards the rest of the Cabinet and Parliamentary Group whom I worked closely with through our common journey in government. We went through rough times characterised by hard work. Witnessing this economically stable, beautiful country called Malta, which has a population of fantastic longevity, cushions the tough memories of the tiring times we went through together.

Heartfelt thanks go to all the staff and volunteers who worked alongside me during my term as minister. We need to keep working albeit from a different position. Thanks again to all, and moreover welcome on board the attuned ship on which we now sail. I need the continued contribution, help and support of each of you in navigating the way towards our sustained destination, that is, towards a Nationalist Party that now needs to be restructured to offer a strong, objective opposition to the Labour government

Sincere thanks to all the constituents of districts I contested in the last and the previous elections. In the last legislature their vote provided me with the ticket to serve this nation as minister. This time their vote has entitled me to serve them as a parliamentarian on the opposition party’s side. I will not form part of government but nonetheless I vouch to serve all fully, and as best, as I can.

Last but not least I would I would like to thank the Nationalist Party; every niche within this huge structure worked so hard in the hope of better outcomes in the general election than those which prevailed. In the coming years, I hope to be able to render back to the party that which it gave me…strength, tirelessness, determination, courage, resilience…and more. The future beckons…..

I believe the Nationalist Party can rebuild its forces and grow into a stronger party than it is because the only way now is up. I trust others share my keen determination.

Each of us needs to determine which role fits us best across the new venture that we have started. I am determined to establish mine and I am sure others will do the same. Bravely and resiliently, we can face the future.

Joseph Cassar is the outgoing Minister of Health.