A new hospital IT system built in-house may have negative consequences that could be felt “for years to come”, according to the Opposition health spokesman.
Claudio Grech said the IT system may turn out to be the government’s “major flaw of this legislature”.
Giving a critical review of government’s performance in the health sector over the past year, Mr Grech said replies given to him in Parliament on the IT system were scant and did not bode well.
“The replies were simple one-liners. The minister said the system was so reliable that no maintenance agreement was necessary because it could be maintained internally,” Mr Grech said.
The government has limped from one crisis to another
The review, which contained positive and negative elements, took an “evidence-based” approach and was not a personal attack on the minister, he said.
He refrained from commenting on the speculation that Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia may lose his portfolio in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Grech, who started shadowing the health sector in August, said government’s handling of the health sector fell short of patients’ expectations.
“The government has limped from one crisis to another,” he said.
The first year of the administration was characterised by unclear strategic direction, he added. “There was very limited vision for the sector... high-level clichés with no tangible flow-through to patient benefits.”
On the bed shortage crisis at Mater Dei Hospital, Mr Grech said no measures were taken to strengthen the community, tertiary and rehabilitation functions that would have alleviated the burden on the country’s only acute general hospital.
He expressed regret that the St Philip’s Hospital project – the previous government wanted to lease the hospital as a rehabilitation hospital – was discontinued and remained in limbo.
Mr Grech also noted that consultation with unions was ineffective and this led to strained relations with the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses.
On the positive side, Mr Grech said the enactment of the Health Act – supported by the Opposition – the provision of chemotherapy services in Gozo and radiology services in twilight hours, and the provision of additional medicines for specific deserving conditions were positive steps.
He also highlighted that a number of projects that started under the PN were also continued.
In a moment of introspection, Mr Grech said the PN could have been a stronger voice to “steamrolled” employees and focused on specific issues of interest for small groups.
“We also could have challenged the status quo more. It is as if there are sacred cows that should never be touched, even under previous Nationalist administrations,” Mr Grech said.