While Malta boasts a good standard of medical services and now has a state-of-the-art general hospital much still needs to be done to upgrade the service to the public.
One of the major shortcomings is the excessive delay to have certain surgical procedures carried out. It is heartening that Social Policy Minister John Dalli admitted this reality and did not mince his words in committing himself to cut hospital waiting lists down to size.
It is particularly frustrating for patients to have to wait interminably for surgical procedures that would make a crucial difference to their quality of life.
Especially for elderly people, a prolonged waiting time to have a knee operation, for example, exacerbates physical inactivity and gives rise to numerous other medical complications that might compromise their failing health enormously.
The same applies to those waiting to have cataract operations done. A rather quick procedure, that means the restoration of one's eyesight, is delayed for years while the luckless patient who cannot afford a private intervention has to live in the twilight world of semi-darkness.
Such situations are likely to lead to cases whereby people with the right connections seem to be able to arrange to have patients jump the queue. This is wrong but, at the same time, understandable. What is not understandable is the attitude taken by certain members of the medical profession who at times are seen to be more willing to put money and their private practice before the general good of patients.
Action is, therefore, imperative, both from a purely administrative/managerial viewpoint and also in terms of medical attention.
Besides streamlining the service at the hospital, the government might want to again investigate the possibility of farming out certain procedures to private hospitals. This is done in other countries and could be cheaper for the government than if it had to cater for all the services itself.
It is also long overdue that the public is educated in the way it utilises the services available. The idea of immediately resorting to the general hospital whatever the ailment must stop.
Medical services and medicines cost money and every patient needs to be fully aware of such costs. Those who repeatedly abuse the system must be made to "pay".
Mr Dalli also recognises the vital need to invest in preventive medicine and primary health care. No health service can be sustained without them.
The management of health centres has to be revamped and more extensive and sophisticated services provided so as to ease the burden on the general hospital. This is not only more cost-effective but also to the advantage of the people who are treated more expeditiously and closer to home.
Above all, the medical staff has to be motivated. The shortage of medical personnel is a major problem and just increasing salaries is not likely to solve the problem. Given the opportunities being offered overseas, it is increasingly difficult to compel medical professionals to put up with poor working conditions and uninspiring career opportunities.
One augurs that Mr Dalli will fashion a well thought-out plan to address the prevailing state of affairs.