Government acted immediately after first judgment to retake control of hospitals, Clyde Caruana says

The Government awaits the conclusion of all existing legal procedures before considering the next steps in the takeover of the three hospitals, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said.

“Our priority is to ensure that all existing legal procedures are fully concluded before the government contemplates the next legal steps,” Caruana said during TVM’s Xtra on Monday.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed Steward Healthcare’s appeal against the decision to annul the hospitals privatisation deal.

In its judgment, the Court of Appeal presided by Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, together with judges Giannino Caruana Demajo and Anthony Ellul, confirmed Mr Justice Francesco Depasquale’s ruling on the government’s privatisation deal with Vitals Global Healthcare and subsequently Steward Healthcare in its entirety.

The only amendment to the February judgment was that the costs of the case were to be shared by the government and Steward Healthcare, and not borne by the American company alone.

Caruana said the government made reclaiming control of the hospitals a priority immediately after the first judgment and other legal procedures had been set in motion.

“The government will continue to ensure that we invest in the field of health as necessary,” Caruana said.

The Finance Minister clarified that, for the time being, the government's plan is to continue monitoring all ongoing legal proceedings, including those taking place abroad.

Caruana was specifically referring to the emergency arbitration filed by Steward Health Care Malta with the International Chamber of Commerce.

The minister said the government would only consider subsequent legal steps in the hospital reacquisition once all legal procedures have been completed.