Steward Health Care Malta (SHCM) notes the recent Court judgement and agrees with elements of the ruling.

It said that it is pleased that the judgement has dismissed the fabricated claims of fraud to which SHCM has been subjected. The Court found that there was collusion involving VGH (or its then shareholders) and representatives of the Government and its officials, prior to Steward entering Malta. Consequently, the Court ordered the Government of Malta – and its representatives in this case – to pay costs.

After SHCM terminated its operations in Malta, this appeal and subsequent proceedings has provided the company an opportunity to set the record straight in respect to unfounded allegations. Despite operating in difficult circumstances, not to mention a pandemic, SHCM is proud of the quality service that was provided throughout St Luke’s, Karin Grech and Gozo General hospitals and the Barts Medical School in Malta. The court notes improvements and contributions that were made to Maltese healthcare. SHCM and its stakeholders have always been clear that the company operated in accordance with the highest professional standards and values.

Throughout Steward’s time in Malta, the company said it acted in good faith (as the Appeal Court expressly now states), providing quality and cost-effective care to patients, with a determination to provide the best healthcare to the Maltese people. SHCM welcomes the judgment’s conclusion that the first Court was wrong in implying any wrongful behaviour on the part of SHCM. Furthermore, the malicious claims of fraud against SHCM were also dismissed.

SHCM notes the Appeal Judgement’s contention that the milestones were not met. From the inception of its participation, Steward has insisted, and the Government agreed that the flawed concession needed to be restructured to achieve its purpose. In fact, prior to their arrival, the European Commission had informed the government, and subsequently did so officially in writing, that the concession was not fit for purpose, did not classify as an off-balance sheet PPP and needed to be restructured. The Government of Malta communicated to the European Commission and Steward, separately, that it would do just that. While SHCM understands that this is likely outside the scope of the ruling, it is disappointing that that the Court does not recognise that the Government of Malta had agreed that the milestones were not attainable unless the agreements were restructured. As a matter of fact, SHCM and the GOM were continuously engaged in bilateral discussion to rectify those shortcomings.

Unfortunately, for reasons not of Steward’s making or understanding, the restructure was obstructed time and time again. Furthermore, Steward Health Care notes that upon taking over from VGH all major milestones were already in breach.

SHCM is an aggrieved party and has already initiated proceedings with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and looks forward to continuing to set the record straight. Steward Health Care Malta encourages the public to visit the website link below which gives unprecedented public access to the facts and evidence relating to the hospital concession. This is part of SHCM’s commitment to transparency and its duty to the Maltese people. https://www.stewardinternational.org/steward-malta-financials/