I thank The Times for featuring my book Etika Fil-Qadi Tal-Marid, translated very professionally by my friend Manuel Schembri, from the Italian and English editions.

My hope in writing this book is to give "medicine a human face" and to present know-how of "bed-side ethics". It is to serve as a learning tool to all those who look after the sick and also for the public in general.

Here in Italy, I have been engaged to give about 35 seminars in various hospitals, dioceses and universities. At the Università la Sapienza of Rome, a study group was formed to discuss various chapters of this book. My hope, and also of the publishers, FMS (Foundation for Medical Services), is that the medical and nursing schools will use this book as a guide. This is why the volume is being distributed free of charge by the Ministry of Health.

I thank Joe Zerafa of Qawra, who recalled his own experience at the Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan, during the weeks his wife was a patient. There are several Maltese and Gozitan patients who were cared for free of charge, despite the fact that such free treatment was strictly limited to Italian nationals. Before the recent signing of the Italo-Maltese health agreement, non-Italians patients had to pay for medical attention given but the hospital management accepted them as non-paying.

Anthony Cauchi of St Julians referred to the health agreement signed recently by Italy and Malta. This agreement, now makes it possible for Maltese patients suffering from certain pathologies to come to Italy for treatment without incurring any fees. I fully agree with his statement that "inadequate press coverage was given to this agreement". The public, and likewise the medical profession have not been informed well enough as regards the facilities, conditions and where one can turn to for treatment. The media and the ministry should provide this information, especially as most Maltese doctors have specialised in the UK and do not have contacts with the major hospitals of excellence in Italy.

Mr Cauchi mentioned San Raffaele in Milan and the Policlinico Gemelli in Rome. There are many other top hospitals and doctors throughout Italy. The Italian magazine Class published two useful volumes entitled Medici Italiani: Ecco I Più Bravi (Class Editori Milano). The books of about 260 pages each are a directory of the leading specialists and hospitals for various pathologies. They give a short CV of each doctor and the area of specialisation, besides full contact details.

These volumes are the scientific research of the well known Eurisko, conducted among 10,000 Italians. The book lists some of the institutes of excellence in health care in Milan, Bologna, Padua, Rome and Catania.

I suggest again to the Ministry for Health to compile with the collaboration of their Italian counterpart a list or directory of the Italian medical market.