In various radio and TV programmes, we women are urged to examine ourselves and report to our family doctor anything strange that might appear such as a lump etc. We are also informed about the thousands of women who, every year, are asked to call on a certain day and at a specific time for breast screening. This is, of course, very encouraging as we have always been taught that a stitch in time saves nine.

What baffles me is that I, for one, have never been called for such a screening and to do this I have to go to a private clinic and, obviously, at a price, something which I have done for more than 10 years.

I do not really think this is fair on me and on those thousands of women of my age. We have always paid taxes, and still do, directly and indirectly and have always contributed in many ways to the well-being of our country.

More so, when we are continuously bombarded with how well the economy is doing, I would expect that we elderly are given more attention. The fruit our country is enjoying today is what we have inherited from our ancestors. I do not feel it is right for us elderly people to be treated like second-class citizens and, maybe, also as a burden to the nation.

It is already a big effort to make ends meet with prices increasing every day. Going to private clinics and paying for certain services just because the health system excludes us elderly citizens from certain much-needed services leaves much to be desired.

Health Minister Chris Fearne, please note.