Today, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry is holding a national conference to discuss the way forward for an efficient, fair and sustainable healthcare system. The event will be addressed by the Health Minister, the shadow minister and the Bishop of Gozo.
As a responsible organisation, the Malta Chamber is always quick to contribute positively to the national debate on issues of primary concern.
The developments in healthcare are particularly relevant because of their wide-ranging repercussions.
Besides, in last May’s Country Specific Recommendations, the European Commission advised Malta to “pursue healthcare reforms to increase the cost-effectiveness of the sector, in particular by strengthening public primary care provision”.
It also recommended efficiency improvements and reductions in the length of public procurement procedures. Similarly, in its 2012 Country Report, the IMF noted that “it is crucial to build broad public consensus for healthcare reform aimed at increasing the adequacy and sustainability of the current schemes”.
In truth, the country did not need to arrive at this stage because the fact that healthcare reform is inevitable was known to all. However, the matter is heavily infected by politics where none of the major parties dare surrender one inch for fear of political suicide.
This continues to leave us with a system which is not serving the country well, is unaffordable and does not adequately reach its objectives. Besides, it does not give dignity to the patient in need. Nor does it give the sick person the required peace of mind because the system cannot afford to give important life-saving drugs.
The unsustainability issue we are referring to here is not a concern for the future generations. It is already with us today.
This is what we shall be discussing today with particular emphasis on the system of public procurement and distribution of ‘free’ medicines. Three relevant chamber sections have been tackling the matter jointly for months. In the process, they discussed our ideas with the Prime Minister, the Health Minister, the shadow minister and the Church.
We are confident of the input we are able to give on this matter because representation of this sector within the chamber is particularly strong and cohesive.
Today’s discussion at the chamber promises to be proactive and constructive.
In terms of the national consultation process on the White Paper on medicine, which comes to a close today, we are prepared to offer the country the practical solutions it needs to enhance our system, rendering it affordable to the country and fair to the patient.
Saving our healthcare system requires a holistic approach and political maturity
Our solutions depart from the point that medicine and healthcare services must remain free because these are the solemn promises made by the political parties ahead of the last election. Nevertheless, even within these tight parameters, there is ample room for improvement.
We are ready to suggest schemes that improve procurement better and bypass public sector inefficiencies in ordering, stocking and distributing medicine. All this while assuring that medicine remains free and that the rights and welfare of even the least privileged among us are safeguarded.
We are confident in our proposals because they are well researched and apply the benefits of ‘prevention is better than cure’ to the national resources dedicated to healthcare, in particular primary and secondary healthcare.
Of course, if we manage to free up resources to be in a position to widen the medicine formulary with important and advanced drugs, we would be keeping patients healthier and reducing their need to seek urgent attention at Mater Dei Hospital and health centres.
However, to free up the necessary resources, the country must first agree on fundamental issues. Agreement is necessary on taking bold steps to eliminate waste and to remove free entitlement to trivial items/services. In both cases, of course, due attention is to be given to uphold the interests of society as a whole.
It is evident that saving our healthcare system requires a holistic approach and also political maturity.
As a chamber, we are encouraged by preliminary feedback on our – often radical – suggestions. We are also encouraged by the manner in which the main political parties are approaching the situation and we have already gone on record to applaud the Opposition’s initiative to set up a bipartisan standing committee on health.
No doubt, as we have done in other matters, the chamber shall continue to work towards facilitating a process of political consensus where this is in the national interest. By reaching this goal, we would be paving the way for the country to be in a position to offer – and afford – a healthcare system that our people and future generations so rightly deserve.
David Curmi is president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry