Doctors and the government have reached an agreement on the transfer of three state hospitals to Steward Global Health Care, with both parties signing documents to that effect on Tuesday.
According to the agreement, future healthcare privatisation related to the medical profession must be approved by the Medical Association of Malta and doctors will remain answerable to the government rather than Steward.
MAM and the government have been at loggerheads for several months after the controversial concession transfer of the St Luke's, Karin Grech and Gozo hospitals from Vitals Global Healthcare to Steward Global Health Care, the largest private hospital operator in the United States.
MAM accused the government of breaching its collective agreement, which, it insisted, laid down that doctors should be notified six weeks in advance before the private sector is brought into the National Health Service. Doctors went on strike in February to protest the move.
Read: €80m have to be given to VGH for return of two hospitals
The government argued that the agreement was not broken because the contract with Steward was not new and only the concessionaire had changed.
Steward was handed the 30-year hospitals concession only 21 months after Vitals had secured a highly questionable deal to operate the three hospitals.
Unlike Steward, Vitals had no track record in the health sector, nor was it ever clarified who owns the company.
Vitals pulled out of the concession several millions in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy – and with the question of what it did with some €50 million passed on to it by the government never satisfactorily answered.
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, Health Minister Chris Fearne said students would also be receiving training at the hospital.
He said the second document dealt with claims that doctors in health centres were not being paid fully on public holidays. Some salaries were due but the situation had now been rectified, he said.
A 'win-win' situation - MAM
MAM general secretary Martin Balzan said the profession was now assured that with Steward and any other operators that might follow, the process that had to be followed by both the government and MAM was clear and the quality of service would be improved.
“We think this is a win-win situation,” he said.
In a statement after the signing, Steward welcomed the agreement and reaffirmed its commitment to work with all stakeholders to ensure high quality medical care was consistently delivered.
Read: Privatisation of healthcare - Martin Balzan
“Steward has a long-established reputation as a high quality, and trustworthy health care provider, led by physicians who have worked in hospital environments and who truly understand what providing quality care means.
“This agreement marks the continuation of a strong relationship with doctors across the health care system in Malta which we hope will lead to sustained growth and development of professionals working within our hospitals in Malta and Gozo,” chief operating officer Nadine Delicata said.
She said Steward would continue to work with all unions and stakeholders in the coming weeks and months to further foster a culture of openness and transparency for all professionals working at Steward Malta hospitals.