Minister for Health Chris Fearne said that Steward Health Care is fully bound by the conditions of the original Vitals Global Healthcare contract for the running of the three state hospitals, and that the government is awaiting 'with interest' the outcome of the court proceedings.
Replying to a question by PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami on the progress in talks on contract conditions, Fearne said that once Steward had fully taken over the Vitals concession, it was completely bound by the contract conditions, and changes to the contract could not be made.
"The concession is what it is and cannot be changed in substance. They are bound by the contract and the concession to which Vitals was awarded. This contract was taken over because in fact Steward bought the shares of Vitals," Fearne said.
He added that the Maltese government expects this to happen and that Steward will have to provide the service according to that concession.
Fearne said that the healthcare services are being monitored to ensure services are given as per obligation.
The healthcare provider currently has three hospitals under its wing, Karin Grech Hospital, St Luke's Hospital and the Gozo General Hospital.
Steward has been refusing to pay €36.5 million in unpaid taxes and has taken the tax commissioner to court.