‘Propaganda For Private Clinics’: Maltese Woman Left Without Ultrasound For Over Three Weeks During Pink October
A 38-year-old woman has been left with undiagnosed lumps in her breast and face as she awaits a call from Mater Dei Hospital for an ultrasound referred by her general practitioner (GP).
Michaela* reached out to Lovin Malta to highlight the irony of the Pink October movement, asking “Why is it that the Breast Screening clinic only takes appointments for women over 50 years old if it is so important to detect it early?”
“One must start getting mammograms every year at the age of 40, but the breast Screening clinic only accepts people 50 and over. Why make us women aware when it’s so hard and expensive to get an appointment?” she continued.
The age group eligible for screening at the public service is between 50 and 69 years.
Michaela noticed lumps in her breast and went to the health clinic which suggested she see her GP. The GP then told her to wait for her to get her period. And so she did.
She went back after two weeks and the lumps were still there. She also noticed a lump on her face, so naturally, she panicked.
Consequently, the GP referred her to Mater Dei Hospital where she submitted the referral paper.
Three weeks passed and she received no call or appointment paper in the mail. So she decided to reach out to the hospital herself.
After calling six different numbers and discovering that no one would help her, Michaela gave up and went to a private clinic.
Michaela called the outpatients helpline, the X-Ray appointments office, the medical imaging department, the department of information, and the number given to patients referred to the breast clinic.
“It’s bullshit. I feel bad for those who don’t have the money to go privately.”
“The way I see October is as a whole propaganda for private clinics. Organisations are supported by people’s donations only to promote private clinics. If one wants to get screened free of charge, they’ll have to go to the health centre or to their GP, so they will refer you for an appointment at Mater Dei.”
“Three weeks on and still no appointment so if you want to sleep well at night, you’re better off doing it privately,” she continued.
This once again showcases the lack of resources possessed by the public hospital which creates major backlogs leaving worried patients in a prolonged state of anxiety.
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
Have you experienced something similar to this?
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