Why do Gozitans complain? Just to do so or because there are very valid reasons for doing so? Therefore in this article I will try to explain. During my time in Parliament, the Budget Capital Expenditure vote for Gozo was very, very limited. It also usually happened that not all was spent as some projections weren’t implemented. This was not for lack of insisting and trying by my colleague and I, but by overall superseding from various Ministries.

Costs More Expensive in Gozo

Let us classify the costs per capita per person and projects in Gozo. Take as an example the installations of Telephone and Electrical Poles in Gozo compared with those in Malta. Gozo previously had streets with frontage at both sides (normally), with fields at the back. The density of the population is, or was far greater in Malta than in Gozo.

So when installing Electrical poles, Telephone poles and lines, Drainage in villages and remote area, these will cost per capita much more than those in Malta, say Valletta and other towns and villages where many more customers/people/households could use the service, whilst in Gozo only a few would benefit.

Drainage trenching also costs much more in Gozo due to the limitation of inhabitants which were and are now even more sparsely spaced. In Zebbug I remember the Government Workers using limited “Dynamite” to crack the hard ground rock. It was an experience not to be forgotten. But it was done and all the Village enjoyed having a drainage system which it lacked. So where there is a “Will,” there is “A Way.”

So costs per capita in Gozo far exceeded those in Malta.

For these reasons, many projects were diverted from one year to another.

Gozo General Hospital

Gozo General Hospital was passed over to a private entity. This was done without informing the General Public properly as should normally be done. We cannot go back though and have to make the best out of the situation.

What I can say is that the Hospital services are in general very good, with excellent working Staff and it appears that Specialist Visits are being kept and being more frequent. One also has to admire “Bart’s Introduction” to Gozo, this introduction was a major step forward.

The General Gozo Hospital hasn’t yet seen any major building projects except for Bart’s New Buildings. Still the former Hospital is still standing as was and in use. What really and urgently Gozo General Hospital lacks and needs is Medical Equipment. I will try to explain.

M.R.I.

In Mater Dei Hospital there are 3 M.R.I’s in use. In Gozo there are none. So whenever a Gozitan Patient requires this service, one has to cross over to Malta to Mater Dei. All 3 are always and at all times fully booked. No one dares to cancel their appointments even if given during the night or early in the mornings. If one misses their appointment, then only God knows when the next one will be.

A 4am appointment is normal for one to receive. One has to leave home at 1.30am in the morning to catch the 2am Ferry. One arrives at Mater Dei at about 3am as there is no traffic at that time in the streets, sitting another hour waiting on a chair until the staff come in. The MRI takes another hour and after back to Gozo again which one will arrive at around 7.30 to 8.00am.

So my question is this. Why not buy another M.R.I. for the Gozo Hospital? It may not be utilised per person as those in Malta, but as stated in the paragraphs above about costing’s per capita, it is very much needed.

By – For – Of the People

Governments are elected, By – For and Of the General Public. Therefore the General Public expect very Good Governance from those representing them. Medicines are distributed freely to those in need by the State which previously was unheard off. Hospitalisation is free, although the General Public does pay indirectly for it.

Millions and Millions were distributed to Enterprises – Business’s – Projects – Societies, etc. etc. wherever needed.

Gozo desperately needs this M.R.I. equipment for the sake of all of its inhabitants, so why is there such a lack of interest and policies for providing this important equipment for Gozo General Hospital? Is it because Gozo only enjoys about 35 thousand inhabitants?

Millions have been wisely spent on buying premises in London for Maltese/Gozitan patients, wasn’t this project to the benefit of the whole society? I believe it was and a big compliment to whoever brought this idea and project forward.

Now I believe it is time for the Government or whoever is in charge of the Gozo Hospital, to also invest in this M.R.I. equipment for the general benefit of all Gozitans.

Specialists

I also may add that Gozo Hospital needs more frequent visits of Specialists. Sometimes patients have to wait for longer periods to be visited by Specialists. Usually it’s once a week, some I believe only visit once a month, but if for one reason or another the Specialist cannot attend, no substitute is there to replace him or her.

So I believe this is another aspect that has to be seriously considered.

Capital Costs Are Higher

Yes, capital costs are higher in Gozo than in Malta as already explained above. But this always was, is and will remain so in the future. Still necessity is the biggest mover of all. Gozo health is also the priority for its inhabitants and also for whoever is visiting us during the year.

So let’s pray that those in authority will also see and realise that the needs of Gozitans must be properly looked after.

Lino DeBono

Former Member of Parliament.

Photo by Alan Salvary