Commissioner for Health addresses University of Malta students on the role of the Ombudsman

Commissioner for Health addresses University of Malta students on the role of the Ombudsman

Published November 04, 2026

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Raymond Galea, delivered a lecture to first-year students following the BA (Hons) Politics and Governance programme at the University of Malta.

During the lecture, the Commissioner provided an overview of the role and functions of the Office of the Ombudsman and explained the services it offers to persons who feel aggrieved by the public administration.

Prof. Galea explained the constitutional status of the Ombudsman and the importance of the Office’s independence and autonomy. He outlined how complaints are investigated and stressed that the process is free of charge, non-adversarial and conducted in private.

The Commissioner also explained that the Office includes three specialised Commissioners responsible for Education, Environment and Planning, and Health. Each Commissioner investigates complaints falling within their respective area of responsibility.

Drawing on his experience as Commissioner for Health, Prof. Galea discussed a number of investigations to give students practical examples of how the Office examines complaints, assesses the actions of public authorities and seeks remedies where maladministration is identified.

The session concluded with a discussion during which students had the opportunity to ask questions about the work of the Ombudsman, the investigative process and the role of independent oversight institutions within a democratic system.