Letters to the editor – March 4, 2026

Leaving no one behind

Josephine Vella of Birkirkara writes:

The Lenten pastoral letter centring around a call to selfless love and encouraging organ donation as “a genuine act of love”, coincided with the Social Justice Week equally promoting love and dignity.

It takes genuine love and absolute respect for human dignity and life itself to decide to donate one’s organs to save lives of others.

This brings to mind Ivan Bartolo, shadow minister for social and affordable housing, and the fight against poverty and loneliness. Leading by example, he generously donated a kidney to a person, thus saving his life. 

Annalisa Minetti

Lives can equally be saved when loneliness is successfully addressed. Being aware of the uniqueness of every individual, PN leader Alex Borg’s choice of Bartolo to tackle loneliness was a wise and well-considered decision. He is convinced of Bartolo’s commitment to promote a culture of inclusion. This was strongly emphasised by Annalisa Minetti when participating as a special guest during the Social Justice Week.

Minetti, with experience in music, sport and public life despite having lost a large part of her eyesight, referred to the necessity of a shift in mentality towards disability and social vulnerability. It is when individuals challenge themselves and institutions support that courage with practical policies that real progress comes.

The local bishops, PN leader Borg, Bartolo and Minetti all highlight a call for a life of solidarity and love while recognising the needs of others. Change depends on long-term cooperation to create opportunities for all.

Minetti’s resilience combined with supportive social structures is inspirational not only to save but to transform lives. As Minetti states:  Real progress begins when each person recognises the dignity and worth of others and acts accordingly. 

The dream of a truly caring society can come true primarily through the valuable contribution of competent and compassionate personalities and their example, together with Bartolo’s vision of Malta that looks forward without leaving anyone behind.

No sitting space

Emily Barbaro-Sant of Mosta writes:

Giuliano Borg (‘No room on the bus’, February 3) complained, and rightly so, that buses are always full and seats supposedly reserved for the elderly are, most of the time, occupied by youngsters wearing earphones and absorbed in their mobile phones.

I am an elderly person and, up till a year ago, I used to drive, but have decided to stop for my own safety and that of others. As a result, I use public transport for my out-of-town necessities. 

Most of the buses coming from the north of the island reach Mosta full to capacity with tourists. Locals can be counted on one hand. Sometimes, buses do not even stop on stages, which is rather frustrating for those waiting come rain or shine.

When I manage to board a bus, most of the seats reserved for the elderly are occupied, but when I see that the occupants are young people, I very politely point out to them the notice about elderly passengers displayed on the side of the bus and they comply. To date, I never experienced a refusal.

While on the subject of public transport, I wish to draw the attention of Transport Malta once again that buses very rarely stop by the curb, making it difficult for elderly people to board or leave the bus. I always wonder why drivers do not lower the bus in respect to elderly commuters. Once, I was told that this needs just the press of a button... I don’t feel I should beg the driver to do this service.

Transport Malta please take note.