Steward Malta issues rebuttal on claims it is “abandoning” hospitals

by Gozo News · March 16, 2023

Steward Malta issues rebuttal on claims it is "abandoning" hospitals Steward Health Care Malta has re-emphasised its “commitment to the orderly transition of the hospitals to new management.”

In a statement on Thursday evening, the company said that “this rebuttal is in light of claims made that Steward Malta was ‘abandoning’ the hospitals.”

SHCM stated that “we remain under a duty and owe to our patients to comply with the service concession agreement terms relating to an orderly handover, which we are adhering to. The health and wellbeing of our patients remains our primary priority throughout this process.”

The company added “we are disappointed at yet another misrepresentation by the Government of Malta of SHCM’s actions; this false representation of SHCM ‘abandoning’ the hospitals simply acts as yet another warning of the Government’s unreliability as a partner to other foreign companies considering investing in Malta.”

SCHM explained that the termination notice provides, among others:

“[…]the Concessionaire considers it essential that there is an orderly transition of the Concession to the GoM to ensure minimal disruption to the provision of healthcare services.”

“[…] The Concessionaire confirms that it will comply with its obligations throughout the hand-back / transition period and acknowledges that such period may take longer than the period leading to the Hand-back Inspection.”