Vitals Global Healthcare is the private entity taking over the running of three public hospitals. Don't be misled by the 'Global' in the name: they are the first hospitals ever to be run by VGH. And here's a health warning: the VGH deal features Konrad Mizzi. Understandably, VGH has embarked on a PR campaign to persuade the general public that they are the best thing that has ever happened to our health system.

Last Sunday, this paper’s sister weekly carried an interview with the VGH Vice-President, who also happens to be the CEO of the Gozo General Hospital. Then, on Wednesday, the CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital also had his say in a piece written for The Times.

If these two people do not realise that they have angered people further with what they said and wrote, then they have really lost touch with reality and public sentiment.

There is a real sense of anger at this VGH deal. This is being felt by those who work in our hospitals, by medical students and their professors, and by the public in general, the users of our country’s health services. This anger stems from the fact that the contract which sealed this very shady deal has huge chunks which have been hidden from the scrutiny of the media, the Opposition and the main stakeholders.

Trying to change our perception is one thing, but going this far is a bit much.

For instance, we are being told that all patients will be treated equally, whether they are paying for the services privately or have done so through their taxes. Sure, go tell it to the marines!

Picture this. A patient travels to Malta from a distant country to undergo surgery in the Gozo Hospital. Upon arrival he (or she) will undergo the medical tests immediately; he will not wait as we do. He will be given the results instantly because he simply cannot wait. He will undergo surgery in the shortest time possible, within days, if not hours, of being admitted to hospital. That is what a paying patient expects from a high quality private health service.

We, on the other hand, will probably have to wait for an appointment to establish which tests we need. Then, we will probably wait, and wait and wait. We would wait for the appointments, for the results, for the actual date to undergo the much needed surgery, etc. It could take a while. It will take a paying health tourist, days.

So no, the service will probably not be the same.

Neither will the working conditions or salaries be the same for those working with VGH and those working with the Government, even though they are working in the same hospital setting.

The principle of equal pay for equal work has been thrashed by Muscat’s government. VGH are clearly following in the same footsteps. VGH are already inventing excuses that the working conditions are different so that they can justify the difference in pay.

But ultimately it will remain an unjust inequality. They are doing this with the doctors, specialists and consultants. They will do it with everyone.

In conclusion, one short final note to VGH: I would not go for an arrogant approach where you (or your CEOs) write about St Luke’s Hospital, or any other hospital for that matter, as though it were yours. These hospitals do not belong to you.

You have signed an agreement which is awaiting the much-needed scrutiny of the auditor-general. So far we are not aware that you bought or own these hospitals. They are there thanks to a history of investments by one government after another. You should not be boasting about the work done by previous governments but you should be telling us what we all want to know.

We want to know how you have these hospitals in your hands and the detailed conditions of how this came about. We want to know about the real financial and social cost for our country.

So please, don’t tell us what you think we want to hear. Tell us the truth. If you won’t tell us, we will still eventually find out. The truth will prevail. So will justice.