In every ministry of the government, minister comes and goes, but the technicians remain in post. If the same technicians, through ignorance and incompetence had wrongly advised the previous minister, then the newly appointed one will ultimately face the same problem in spite of all his goodwill.

If I were to be appointed minister, I would probably proceed in the following manner : I, being a laymen, have to be properly advised so as to achieve the objectives set. I cannot ignore the advice of the core technicians in my ministry, but I would create not a formal committee, not an ad hoc committee but invite a group of friends, chosen very selectively. People who over the years have shown their competence and devotion. This restrained group will function as my second-line advisors.

The new minister of Health, Satish Faugoo, has come up with 17 measures to improve the health service. Bravo! The question is ?Why these 17 measures were never considered ?? The answer is lack of healthy communication. A consultant is at the head of every speciality. He is de facto the most appropriate adviser to the minister in his respective field. But there are between the minister and the consultant other grades of advisers : permanent secretary, chief medical officer, principal medical officers and regional health directors. The consultant is rarely?consulted.

Why should the attendant not be given the chance to voice his opinion on how to improve his contribution to the health service?

The minister is appointed to formulate policy matters, but not to run around to chair various hospital boards. A hospital board should not be composed of only medical consultants but of a representative of each sector and through inter-actions, solutions to many problems will be found.

The hot seat of any hospital is the casualty. Has an in-depth study been conducted to identify the pitfall of its function? The public must be educated on a rational use of the casualty. Every casualty is equipped with a TV set and a VCD. Instead of showing movie films, why not use the same to educate the public ? Health education must be brought to the grass root level. I never criticize without suggesting possible solutions.

Dr Hassen MUSTUN