St James hospital group sold, denies Libyan conflict link

Saint James Hospital International has categorically denied claims in the media that its commercial operations in Libya proved to be a burden on local operations, triggering the imminent sale of St James (Capua) Hospital to American and Palestinian entrepreneurs.

Jean Claude Muscat, managing director, stressed that the international operations were always run by a separate and distinct company managed separately from the Maltese operations: “The media reports linking the Libya operations with the sale of St James (Capua) Hospital are completely fabricated. There isn’t an ounce of truth in them.

“The truth is that the international operations of St James Hospital are managed by a separate structure which focuses specifically on the operations in Libya and Hungary. Saint James Hospital International also runs its own operation in Hungary. Of course Saint James Hospital International did face difficult times four years during the Arab Spring Revolution and is facing difficult times today with the current domestic turmoil in Libya. However this has not placed any burden whatsoever on the local operations of the Group.”

Muscat stressed that the operations in Libya, have resumed: “Precautions have been taken and for the time being resources have been scaled down, however operations are ongoing. Saint James Hospital International has full faith in the Libyan people and are confident that eventually the situation will improve. We did not throw in the towel as far as Libya is concerned – far from it – that is not in our nature.”

The hospital group also threatened to take legal action on unfounded claims, saying that the allegations were damaging to its Libya operations. “The company will not tolerate speculations that are not based on facts and that can harm the company.”