Publish Barts deal, say Nationalist MPs on government health plans

PN: “Health workers and students of medicine do not deserve uncertainty. The government must publish the Barts agreement.”

ME chairman Mario Vella and Barts' Prof. Anthony Warrens sealing the agreement for their Gozo campus.
ME chairman Mario Vella and Barts' Prof. Anthony Warrens sealing the agreement for their Gozo campus.

The Nationalist Party has called into question statements by the government over a memorandum of understanding with Barts for the operation of an overseas campus in Gozo.

A government statement on Thursday appeared to contradict statements made by the minister for the economy, Chris Cardona, that the Barts agreement was an MOU.

“The government says the agreement will be signed when the premises are completed. This means that there is as yet no concrete agreement about where Barts will be operating from,” shadow health and economy ministers Claudette Buttigieg and Claudio Grech said.

“The statement says nothing about claims by Cardona that Barts will be bringing a €200 million investment, when it was the school itself that said it will not be making the €200 million investment. So who is saying the truth? Muscat’s government or Barts?” the two MPs asked.

The government has issued an expression of interest for the private operation of the Gozo General Hospital, the Karin Grech and St Luke’s Hospitals at an investment that will require at least €200 million. Barts will operate a Gozo campus that will also include the GGH.

“Health workers and students of medicine do not deserve uncertainty. The government must publish the Barts agreement,” the two MPs said.