Gozo News

The Malta Medical Association said it has lodged a judicial protest against further government privatisation and/or outsourcing of health services.

The Malta Medical Association said in a statement that following a 2018 doctors’ strike to protest the transfer of government hospitals to Steward, the two parties signed an agreement in which the government “undertook to meaningfully consult with the Malta Medical Association on any future privatizations and was obliged to obtain the consent of the Malta Medical Association prior to any privatization/outsourcing.”

Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism and Travel said the agreement was not respected and the government “issued the tender documents without any consultation or consent as required”.

MAM said it was protesting the government’s “lack of transparency”. This was crucial in light of the Vitals/Steward fraud.

The association insists that “any privatisation of health services must comply with signed agreements, have the best interests of patients at heart, and there must be proper scrutiny of how taxpayers’ money is spent.”

“Malta’s primary healthcare infrastructure is now in crisis as a result of the €400 million payment to Vitals/Steward. This crisis can only be resolved through a holistic plan involving all stakeholders,” the report said.

MAM said it “is not opposed to private sector involvement in shortening waiting lists, including for IVF. However, the blatant disregard for existing protocols and lack of consultation does not reassure doctors that the government has learned its lessons from the Vitals/Steward fraud.”

MAM concludes by calling on the government to halt further privatization until proper and meaningful consultations are completed.”