25th February 2000: Quality Service Charter launched at Drug Control Unit

 As reported in The Times of Saturday, 26^th February, unless the most efficient means of running departments is found, it would be extremely difficult to keep the current level of funds spent on health services, warned Health Minister Louis Deguara yesterday. He said the health ministry was introducing new systems in all its departments to make them as efficient as possible. He also said the contract between the Foundation for Medical Services and Skanska for the continuation, completion and finishing of Tal-Qroqq hospital will be signed on Tuesday.

The minister was speaking at the Drug Control Unit in Valletta, which has adopted a quality service charter aimed at cutting down on bureaucracy and making the service more customer-friendly. Persons who are prescribed narcotic and psychotropic drugs have to apply to the unit to get a white card in order to then obtain the prescribed drugs from a chemist. The minister said a system would be devised to stagger the renewal of white cards that are currently all renewed during a particular period during the year.

Justice Minister Austin Gatt, who is responsible for the introduction of quality service charters in government departments, said persons who apply for a card at the unit at 3B Old Mint Street would be issued with one within five minutes. "Valletta residents would be able to be seen by a doctor at the unit and issued with a white card there and then, instead of having to journey between departments," said Dr Gatt.

Members of the public who send their application for a white card by mail will be answered within two working days from receipt of the application. Public health director Malcolm Micallef said there were about 24,000 persons holding white cards. On average 24 people are issued with a new white card annually.

"This does not mean that all 24 would be on drugs throughout the year. Several, for example, might take them merely for a limited period during a bout of depression. The drug control unit has been in operation since 1985. Use of these drugs has to be monitored to curb abuse," said Dr Micallef. The unit will be distributing a questionnaire to collect feedback on the quality of service offered.

The Drug Control Unit will be open between 8 a.m. and noon and 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday till June 15, when summer hours will come into operation. More information may be obtained by phoning tel.245490.