On receiving yet another e-mail I took a deep breath. Let's face it, with today's technological accessibility ministers receive volumes of e-mails daily. Unfortunately, very few contain good news.
This one was definitely an exception. The attachment, a detailed voluminous periodical report from Mater Dei Hospital, once again brought out the optimist in me.
The figures and statistics gave me a clear indication that surgical activity had increased. More surgical interventions are not just a matter of numbers on the much-discussed waiting list; it means less suffering and anticipation for patients and their families, and a better quality of life.
The Ministry of Health is not just responsible for administering our hospitals and the employees who work within the sector; it is responsible for caring for the needs of our population. I feel very strongly about the role of each and every person within the system.
I have always been convinced about my approach towards health, a sector I cherish dearly. In order to make the changes which we all agree are direly needed in this country, we must first win the support of all the health carers.
When the quality of our health services improves, we conquer the respect of the general public. This is what this report was telling me.
The figures for the first quarter of 2010 clearly show that our approach is working, we are keeping our promises and our carers are doing their utmost.
The report covers surgical interventions for the period January to April at Mater Dei Hospital.
Looking closely at the figures I was struck by the positive trend. First of all, the obvious increase in surgical interventions is in the periodical totals.
In the period January to April 2007 (the last year of health services at St Luke's Hospital), there were 11,417 surgical interventions.
During the same period for 2010, the number of interventions increased by 2,017 to a total of 13,434. The average daily operation per month has also increased in the same quarter of this year. January registering an average increase of seven operation episodes per day, February an average increase of 18 operation episodes per day, while March and April registered an average increase of 21 operation episodes per day.
These figures give me huge satisfaction, but what really makes me proud is the fact that to achieve these results we used existing resources within Mater Dei Hospital. This means we were more efficient in the use of the operating theatres, equipment and medicines. But, above all, more efficient with our human resources.
To achieve this, everybody has made an extra effort, at all levels. What gives me even more hope is the fact that there is still room for improvement, and that is where we are heading.
Still, health is not just about waiting lists. This government will be remembered for the bold way in which it is tackling the fight against cancer.
In the oncology sector we have taken a multi-faceted approach: education, prevention, screening, technology, training, medicines and much more, all in the hope of finding a way to extend the life expectancy of our cancer patients.
Until a few years ago we were happy and satisfied when cancer patients managed to live for five years; now, life expectancy has increased to 10 years, and we continue to struggle to increase it further and to improve the quality of life during this 'extended' lifespan.
Now we can boast about a holistic network which is bearing fruit. The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention are present on all radio and TV stations, newspapers and magazines, educating our people on how to prevent cancers (especially those related to lifestyle choices).
The Breast Screening unit has not only set up a screening programme according to the most vigorous European standards, but has gone beyond its remit by joining forces with the University to train radiographers in furthering their specialisation in mammography imaging.
The government, with the assistance of the Swiss government, will be investing in a Pet scanner at Mater Dei Hospital. Until that is up and running, we have signed an agreement with St James Hospital to provide free Pet scans to all patients referred by oncologists at Mater Dei and Boffa hospitals.
Eleven medicines, including Herceptin have been added to the government Formulary List. Plans for the new oncology hospital are also in full swing.
The list of all our efforts leaves us breathless, but we are determined to keep our promises. Health is not just about figures and statistics, it is about how much we all care to make a difference.
Dr Cassar is the Minister of Health.