Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Wednesday continued to defend the hospitals’ deal which was rescinded by the courts, saying he always believed that the agreement could bring numerous benefits and adding that the full realisation of the project was hindered by “various challenges” which he did not name.

Muscat was reacting to Monday’s decision by a court of appeal that upheld the original verdict that the contractual agreement between the Government of Malta and Steward (previously Vitals) “is void due to failure to meet certain milestones, resulting in breaches of the contract.”

“I have firmly believed that this agreement could bring numerous benefits to our nation,” Muscat said on his Facebook page. “We have witnessed some of these benefits, such as the successful establishment of Gozo's own Medical School with private sector funding under Steward's management. However, there were various challenges that hindered the full realization of this project. Hidden vested interests, opposing the modernization and proper accountability of our national health systems, played a significant role in obstructing the complete implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP)."

Muscat did not say what these challenges were.

“The Court has stated that there was collusion involving unidentified officials. This conclusion is based, among other things, on different waivers authorized at the political level throughout the entire concession period, with the aim of finding a satisfactory solution," Muscat said.

“To avoid any misinterpretation, it is important to note that I have consistently emphasized the need for a comprehensive and unbiased analysis into any potential misconduct, rather than the politically motivated witch hunts that are currently taking place.

“I am committed to make sure the whole truth is known. Ultimately, even the Court of Appeal recognized the positive impact of transitioning from VGH to Steward. Although progress may not have been as rapid as intended, it still marked a significant milestone. Considering the political obstacles that were placed in its path, the realization of this project could have been a transformative moment for Malta's healthcare management," Muscat concluded.