There is no sight yet of an American takeover at St James Hospital, in Sliema, although negotiations were close to being wrapped up in March.
Hospital owner Josie Muscat would only say yesterday that the “negotiations are still not concluded”. He would not say whether talks were continuing with the American-Pakistani investors mentioned in March or if new investors had stepped in.
He did add, however, that the building of the company’s new hospital in Bulebel was “still under way”.
The Saint James Hospital Group was founded in 1984 by the doctor and former Nationalist MP, growing and expanding over the decades. In March, when news of the potential sale to the American-Pakistani investors had leaked, Dr Muscat had said the name Saint James would be retained.
He stressed that the company’s other medical facilities in Żabbar, Tarxien, Żebbuġ and Burmarrad were not part of the deal and would be renamed Santa Maria.
Asked if the new Bulebel hospital would also be called Santa Maria, Dr Muscat replied yesterday: “I’d rather not say anything at the moment; things are changing every day.” All facilities are operating normally.