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| Paul Pace (left) & Joe Cassar: Spot the minister? |
Paul Pace who heads the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has made the following declarations on the medical care being given at Mater Dei to Libyan casualties.
"The health sector in Malta is not in a position to support any influx
of patients from any country to Mater Dei Hospital. Government has to
keep in mind the nation’s welfare and should not resort to decisions
just to please the international community.
"Certain Maltese politicians tend to see foreign affairs as being more
important for their own personal interest, making them incapable of
exposing the huge limitations which the Maltese health sector is passing
through, at (sic) the detriment of all Maltese ... [Nurses] will not be used as the sacrifice lamb in a political saga."
Let me put aside the shocking callousness that the head of a nursing union - of all unions - is showing towards the relatively few bullet-ridden, mangled and blood-soaked men, women and children being flown in from Libya.
Let us also turn a blind eye to Paul Pace's outrageous claim that Mater Dei's services are at par with those of "third world" hospitals, a claim he made in another part of the newspaper report. And let us agree with him that Mater Dei's staff is overstretched, that there is a problem with the allocation of bed-spaces and that waiting lists are not being shortened fast enough.
Even if we grant all this to Paul Pace, a fundamental question remains. Since when has he become the prime minister? Was there an election last night and I missed it?
20 comments:
unfortunately we live at a time where Paul Pace and Bencini are full out o gain political mileage where i would not be surprised by a last minute resignation prior to election to contest with PL
Mr. Pace's words (as reported) make a mockery of trade union solidarity - the principle round which the very existence of unions revolves. No union worth its salt should dream of talking in terms of denying assistance to war casualties.
Had Mr. pace condemned the distasteful exploitation for propaganda purposes of the treatment extended to Shueyga Mullah - and reminded us all that Maltese citizens who are not in the public eye are being denied some quite important services - his words would have been met with a chorus of approval.
Instead, his Union can expect condemnation all round.
Heaven preserve us! The wailing tooth- puller is now quoting TYOM for support on his facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002341073222&sk=wall
How low the mighty have fallen.
Mr Pace should remember that he is leading a trade union whose members are nurses not coal miners, bog cleaners or dustmen!
How dare he talk of denying assistance to those wounded in war?
Florence Nightingale would weep.
Shame on you you horrible man!
Some time ago there was a Maltese man who wanted to give blood only on condition that it would not be used to save the life of a black person.
This statement by the MUMN is in the same spirit, with its talk of "foreign patients" and its warning about an "influx" of Libyans.
Truly a statement worthy of Norman Lowell. The Labour Party must also be quite pleased with it.
... this is a sticking statement coming from a unionist in the 'caring' profession. It comes from the same mindset that spoke about protecting our national interest when we had illegal migrants turning up in our zone. What does he expect Malta to do - send the wounded back because Mr Pace might be in a hurry to get home?
What has become of our Christian values - NIMBY'ism at its best. it is now time for all other unions to express themselves on the issue - but they are too chicken to take a stand - and too political to give a damn!
I fully agree with M.Pace.
We have to face the facts. Mater Dei is simply not in a position to give the service required to the local population let alone extending it to the Libyans,even though this is a very deserving cause.
We are just not equipped to do so.
I wonder if any of the above bloggers ever shared my experience of having to wait years on end,and still waiting,to have an operation.
What we should have done is asked,other countries,to send us some doctors and nurses,and we would have given them the use,either of St.Lukes or St Phillip,both of which are closed.
I'm afraid this is just turning out to be just political propaganda.
What he said is wrong on many levels. There are political reasons for agreeing to support Libya medically, but on a humanitarian level, being a nurse, how can he say these words?
Mr. Pace should learn to exercise wisdom and keep words limited when he is not in control of his mind, thoughts and political agenda. It is clear that lately the aforementioned opted to attack every initiative rather than come up with tangible solution and forward such ideas to his collages in charge of the department. This is not helping his colleagues improving their situation because Mr. Pace is loosing his credibility. His credibility was under mind with the introduction of a second union. He is very well aware with the current situation in other countries (namely Italy, United Kingdom and USA).
Malta was and will remain behind the humanitarian impetus. We should be proud that notwithstanding the geographical limitations we still do our utmost to give a helping hand when needed.
There are moments where external forces contribute to the cohesion of a people.
Paul Pace, as much as Saviour Balzan, is clearly not pleased.
@Gullinu:
How Christian is it to turn out three Maltese patients from the I.T.U. to make room for three
foreigners?
(this was reported in to-day's papers)
@Silvio
Do you know all the facts? Where the Maltese denied treatment or shifted in priority because others were in more urgent need of attention?
Tell me something. If you are faced with two patients requiring urgent medical attention but one's need is more urgent than the other and there is an increased chance of death if that one does not receive he urgent treatment - how would you assess who needed to be treated first?
Ask them to produce identity cards? Look at the colour of their skin?
I cannot believe that some people (many unfortunately) just have no sense of humanitarian aid for others in need and are willing to discriminate against non Maltese. You should be ashamed of yourselves!
I find Mr Pace's views ((illogical) AND ((either too narrow) OR (very worrying))). We should be able to assist as many wounded Libyans as the number of wounded a disaster in Malta would lead to. If we're not, then Malta is unprepared. If we're unprepared, then we'll need the assistance of another country. If we'll need the assistance of another country, it makes sense to provide assistance when we can. Conclusion? WE CAN AND THEREFORE WE'RE DOING. IF WE COULDN'T THEN WE WOULDN'T, OR ELSE WE WOULD AT A TANGIBLE EXPENSE THAT MR PACE COULD POINT OUT.
This said, to the people who think that healthcare should be free for all: You may be right, but you should also be assured that healthcare, just like education, IS NOT free for all. So, let us at least understand that by helping the Libyans we're incurring a cost. AND that there are LIMITATIONS to how much we can AFFORD.
@Gullinu.
Before asking us to be ashamed of ourselves.I would have expected you to read my previous contribution.
You would have noticed that what I said was that I expected the authorities to make use of other hospitals,which are empty,and not keep on burdening the already over streeched Mater Dei.
The fact,as you said,that a choice had to be made,in deciding who stays and who goes,clearly cofirms my point,that Mater Dei can't cope with extra patients, be they green,black or yellow.
@Silvio
Interesting to see that your claim that three Maltese were ejected from ITU - as reported by the Socialist press - was denied categorically by Mater Dei.
Back to the original point. We must never be in a position where we have to choose one life over another. Many in this country act as though we are a poor third world country. We are comparatively one of the richest countries on this planet and we have the resources to save lives. If and when those resources are stretched beyond coping - and we are nowhere near there yet - then we have alliances that will help out to save lives.
Our values are what makes us a nation - valuing a life - irrespective of colour or creed is what makes me proud to be Maltese.
It is the destructive propaganda coming from one sector of the political scene that is sowing divisiveness in this country. We should silently play our part on the world stage and not expect anything in return. The Opposition would do well to support the Government with actions not words - and that includes not twisting every possible situation into a political advantage.
Silvio, that is why the PL is not fit to govern this country - for the PL this is just a game and it is their turn to 'govern'. They are a soulless bunch of incompetents that don't give a damn about out standard of living but will chase every opportunity to gain their time of glory.
Sorry sorry state!
@Gullinu.
I never said the the P.L.is ready or not,to govern.That is for the voters to decide, and as they say "people get the Govt they deserve" But,honestly I would not like to be dragged into a political debate,as a matter of fact I suspect we are both on the same side of the fence.
Let me again say that I never questioned the fact of whether we should help the wounded Libyans (or whoever) That is our duty and I agree hundered per cent,we should be ready to give all the help possible.
What I said ,and I will repeat Mater Dei (not Malta) is not in a position to accept these extra patients,for well known reasons.
I repeat that the Govt should have prepared the two closed hospitals to take these and even more wounded persons.
I hope that my position is well explained and you stop picturing me as some racist.
@ Silvio - how can you use other hospitals, which are now out of use (St Lukes', St Philip's), when they do not have the facilites to cater for critically ill patients?
@Anon
I can assure you that no civilised country like ours,does not have backup hospital facillities,to be used in emergencies,such as national,catastrophies,etc.
These can be set up and running in a matter of hours.
And also keep in mind that we have been talking about Malta offering it's help,in this field,for the last 6 mths.
I sincerly hope that we haven't been offering something we don't really have.
That would make us the laughing stock of the whole world.
@ Silvio:
As far as I know there has been a national emergency plan in place for years on end. Obviously things have not ever reached the point where this emergency plan kicks in - which does not mean it does not exist.
I mean ... are you sure we've reached the point where we have a national emergency on our hands? Doubt it.
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