The Health Ministry in a statement this afternoon, has refuted reports in certain media that the concession for the Gozo General Hospital project, which is for 30-years, could be extended by Vitals Global Healthcare for a further 69 years.

The media report had also been commented upon by the Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, and the Health Ministry said that, "the Leader of the Opposition decided to quote from an article which was filled with inaccuracies without verifying the facts."

The Ministry said, "as stated repeatedly the concession for this project, which includes St. Luke's Hospital, Karin Grech Hospital, and the Gozo General Hospital is for 30 years."

It stated that, "in the case of the Gozo General Hospital and Karin Grech Hospital, it is the Government that decides whether there is an extension to the contract at the end of the 30 years."

"Vitals Global Healthcare can only exercise the right to extend the title for St Luke's Hospital, with the intention to develop it mainly for medical tourism," the Ministry said.

It added that, "the claim that the Gozo General Hospital had been handed over for 99 years is not true and is an incorrect misinterpretation of the Notarial Acts."

The Health Ministry statement concluded by saying that, "St Luke's Hospital, Karen Grech Hospital and Gozo General Hospital be developed through a private investment, while the health service provided for Maltese and Gozitan patients will continue to be free."

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