Updated | Hospitals operators question whether unions’ requests led by 'ulterior political agenda'

The new operators of three of Malta’s hospitals have cast doubts on the true motive behind requests by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin and the Medical Association of Malta for the Auditor General to investigate the contracts signed.

In a statement, Vitals Global Healthcare said it would continue to discuss and reply to questions raised. “However at this stage, VGH can’t help but question whether the decision taken by UHM and MAM officials not to engage in dialogue truly represents the interest of the unions’ members or if this decision is led by an ulterior political agenda,” the new operators said.

VGH has signed a 30-year concession agreement to run Gozo General Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital and Karin Grech Hospital.

Last week, UHM and MAM asked the Auditor General and the parliamentary public accounts committee to investigate the contracts signed, and raised questions over the source of money which was being invested in the hospitals.

Vitalis Healthcare Ltd is owned by Bluestone Investments Malta Ltd, which is in turn owned by Bluestone Situation 4 Ltd – registered as an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands. VGH has stated that its ultimate beneficial owner is Mark Pawley.

Following a request made by the opposition, the contracts will be discussed by the parliamentary health committee.  In their request for further scrutiny by the PAC, UHM said it was imperative to eliminate all doubt and to fully establish the operator’s stability if the jobs and conditions of work of its members were to be guaranteed.

“The company reiterates that it has been forthcoming with information and willing to speak with all stakeholders concerned. Whilst presentations on the project and the company have been given to a number of Unions, constituted bodies and other entities, MAM and UHM have continuously refused to meet VGH officials to discuss the project,” VGH said.

“It is for this reason, that the company finds the letter sent to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee somewhat surprising. VGH highlights that many of the points listed in the letter are not only incorrect, but irresponsible, and incredulous, and that most major issues have been clarified publicly by the company.”

VGH said that other questions said to have been left unanswered could have easily been addressed had said unions accepted one of many invitations sent by the company.

“VGH again publicly invites MAM and UHM to meet and engage in dialogue so that the scaremongering and dissemination of fabricated information can stop, for the good of the workers of VGH hospitals and the general public at large.”

In a reaction, MAM general secretary Martin Balzan said its relationship was with the government, as the employer of doctors in the public servce.

"MAM attended several meetings with the then Minister Konrad Mizzi and Chris Fearne, and occasionally Ram Tumuluri, about this contract. MAM has made it amply clear it was unwilling to sign any contract unless the full contracts are published and a due diligence exercise by the Auditor was carried out. This became of fundamental importance after the publication of the Panama Papers implicating the then health minister," Balzan said.

"Unfortunately the govenrment decided to rush forward with the transfer of its property and services before reaching a formal agreement with the trade unions, whilst publishing agreements with tens of pages missing leading to more questions then answers."

Balzan said VGH should direct its criticism at  whoever took such a premature decision, seriously compromising the future of this project by putting the cart before the horse and compromising the confidence of the medical profession.in this project.

"In fact, it should be in the interest of any serious healthcare provider to accept an independent scrutiny of a credible institution. Indeed any serious contractor should have nothing to hide," Balzan added.