Another reform is being proposed by the government, this time in the health sector. We have seen the government tackling other reforms in other sectors with success. Such reforms are important in our changing society and bind to cater for the better and, above all, to be sustainable.

The proposed reform in primary healthcare has elicited drastically opposed reactions from the two doctors' organisations in Malta, namely the Association of Private Family Doctors, which welcomed the proposed measures, and the Medical Association of Malta that is not so much in favour of the reform.

The Labour Party, through its health spokesman, Michael Farrugia, also criticised the proposed reform mainly by saying that this was the end of free healthcare.

To start with the last comment, the aim of the proposed reform is definitely the opposite of ending free healthcare.

There are no extra fees incurred on patients when registering with their family doctor.

The reform, unveiled on December 5 by Minister John Dalli and Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar, will enable patients to register with their chosen private family doctors. This will allow equality in patients when they come to healthcare providers, in this case family doctors.

Patients who at present cannot afford to see their preferred family doctor because of financial problems and so have to go elsewhere, will, thanks to the proposed reform, be able to have free access to a family doctor as the government will subsidise the private health visit.

Registered patients will be means tested and those who are eligible will be able to have the services of their preferred family doctor for free.

Is this the end of free healthcare services, I ask.

Besides, the health centres will still be functioning and with improved services for free! Is this a guarantee of enhanced free healthcare services, I further ask. Is this what politics is about, catering also for those who are socially inferior to others but who still will be able to enjoy similar services?

The newly-proposed primary healthcare system has been designed to guarantee that the patient is given the best care possible.

In my opinion, patients will benefit greatly from the new registration system.

Patients, through the family doctor, will be able to access medical services and care, as well as medical records and history, in an individualised and personalised manner. Is this an efficient service? Is the patient, who must always be at the centre of the whole system, benefiting?

I think everyone knows the right answer.

Through the proposed reform the patient will now have a direct link with the health system.

The family doctor can guide or refer the patient for further medical investigation and treatment within the public health system.

The new system will strengthen the use of records and history-taking of the patient and will enable continuity in the health management of patients at a personalised level. As an example, when a patient is released from hospital, the discharge letter or any medical information pertaining to the patient would immediately be available to the patient's registered primary care provider, that is the family doctor. Does this provide a better and more efficient system compared to the present primary healthcare structure?

The proposed reform will enable direct access to government laboratories and radiology investigation by the family doctor. The family doctor will be able to book the patient directly for laboratory and radiological investigations, which could be carried out within local health centres or at Mater Dei Hospital for free. Is this for the better care of the patient?

The family doctor, who is bound to the patient on a personalised level, will be in a position to prescribe certain medications, especially in relation to the management of chronic ills such as hypertension, heart diseases and asthma.

Such patients, who are usually entitled for free medications through the pink/yellow forms, will not be required to book with a consultant for renewal or adjustment of treatment. This will prevent unwanted delay, thus improving efficiency and, furthermore, ensuring a more professional service.

Family doctors will now be able to book appointments for outpatients and for day care procedures directly from their own clinics. Is this a more efficient way than the present system?

Above all, for the first time, families and individuals who, as I have already said, cannot afford to pay the private family doctor's fee, will be able to make use of the services of a private family doctor either for free or at subsidised rates, depending on their needs. This is made possible by the government introducing a means-testing system.

Is this the end of free healthcare, I again ask my fellow colleagues from the opposition. I think it all shows that, through the proposed reform, the government is well into introducing an efficient, socially-acceptable and sustainable healthcare system, which will give the patient the rights and place he deserves in our modern, civilised world.

The author is a medical doctor and a Nationalist member of Parliament.