Government to plough ahead with acquisition of St Philip's Hospital

After filing a motion calling for the suspension of the acquisition process, backbencher Franco Debono has ‘no comment to make’.

Government has announced that it intends to forge ahead with the St Philip's Hospital acquisition deal, despite the resistance it has encountered.
Government has announced that it intends to forge ahead with the St Philip's Hospital acquisition deal, despite the resistance it has encountered.

The Finance Ministry is going ahead with the signing of the contract to rent St Philip's Hospital despite calls to have the process suspended until the Auditor General, the Public Accounts Committee and parliament scrutinise the process.

"Government has decided to proceed with the signing of the contract," the ministry for finance said in a statement issued this evening.

To justify its decision despite the criticism raised by one of its own MPs and Independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, the government said the private hospital was need in view of the acute need of beds.

"This will relieve important bed availability at Mater Dei Hospital," it said.

The ministry added that government was not buying but renting the property, with the purchasing option only exercisable as from the third year.

"If government decides to exercise the purchase option in the future, then prior to the signature of the deed of purchase, it will report to the Public Accounts Committee the reasons for the decision to purchase at that point in time and signature will only take place once the PAC review is completed," the ministry said.

When contacted by MaltaToday, backbencher Franco Debono said he had "no comments to make" despite having filed a motion in parliament calling for the process to be halted.

His call was supported by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and the Opposition.

Debono added that he has carried out his duty and it was now "up to the people to judge them".

In its statement, government went on to add that immediately following the signing of the lease agreement of the St Philip's Hospital, it would submit the contract to the Auditor General for a full review and evaluation of the process.

"The report that will be drawn up by the Auditor-General will then be presented to the Public Accounts Committee for full parliamentary scrutiny," the ministry said.

"The rent or acquisition of property by government is not subject to parliamentary approval both in terms of the Public Procurement Regulations and the Land Disposal Act."

It said that in terms of the Public Procurement Regulations, the purchase or rent of land or property is specifically exempt (under Regulation 17 (1) (f) Legal Notice 296/10), from the need to issue a tender and thus allowing Government to enter into direct negotiations if this is deemed appropriate. "Moreover, the Land Disposal Act requires government to go to Parliament for approval only if the property being sold - and not bought as in this case - has not followed a public tendering procedure," the ministry said.

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Igor P. Shuvalov
So the convenient excuse being brought by the Minister of Health is that rehabilitating St Luke's Hospital would cost much more than what is being paid for St Philip's Hospital. But what is not being said that St Luke Hospital has 5 times bed capacity of that of St Philips. And what is more serious is the lack of the Minister of stating how much the rehabilitation of St Philips hospital, which has now been closed for 10 years is going to cost.
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The sheer devious, unadulterated sponging on the national coffers meant to secure votes in one way or another is nauseating to see. Especially from confirmed God, Jesus and Madonna worshipers. I am sure these guys attend religiously Sunday Mass and probably help out with communion too. What falsity! These must be the devils Jesus warned the people against. May they rot in hell for eternity for their mortal sins.
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Firstly, GonziPN passes through Parliament those necessary legal notices and amendments to legislation in order to do dirty tricks like the acquisition of St. Philip's Hospital in order to escape the scrutiny of Parliament. What a devious Government we have to live with.
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This proves as you can see. European politicians are masters of deception and manipulation. That's how they stayed in power while spending more and more money they dont have and would never have. Shift the problem onto future generations of tax payers.Sorry to say we are going to loose more votes.
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I would like to congratulate the authorities for striking a deal. This shows that the authorities are listening to the complaints.
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Debono says 'no comment'; how come? Is he lost for words for once?
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Debono says 'no comment'; how come? Is he lost for words for once?
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Luke Camilleri
Truly PLOUGHING ahead! Jghazaq qieghed GonziPN u it-talent limitat li hu mdawwar bih! Gbajna inhallsu ghal inkompetenzi tieghu u tal-INKOMPETENTI li mdawwar bihom, u s-sostenituri ta' GonziPN li kullhadd irrid bicca f'PaNiku Pre-eletorali!
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Stefan Mifsud
Yesterday Dr. Joe Cassar said that to refurbish the whole of St. Lukes and bring it up to the standards of Mater Dei would require an expense of Euros 40,000,000. GonziPN is buying/renting St. Phillips for a minimum Euro 12,000,000. St. Phillips is a 120 bed hospital. I do not know what the bed capacity of St. Lukes is. However if it is more then 400 beds than the St. Phillips deal is a bad deal. Here is the Maths. 12,000,000/120 = 100,000 per bed. 40,000,000/400 beds = 100,000 per bed. That is the acid test. Does St. Likes have a bed capacity greater then 400 beds? I think it has.
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One reason stated for renting/purchasing this hospital is for the use of its theatres for surgical operations. Can the Hon. Joe Cassar jusify this when there are still surgical theatres at Mater Dei not being used? Can he explain how he is going to find the experienced human resources to run this service when there is a severe lack of experienced staff? Can he explain how the MRI unit in this hospital can still be used when it was out of use for a good 10 years?
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Ic-cavetta qeda ghand Franco u Jeffrey. Il-poplu qed jistenna azzjoni immedjata minghandkom u mhux aktar kliem. Jekk m'intomx lesti ghal-azzjoni tpacpcux aktar fil-vojt.
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Stefan Mifsud
Yesterday Dr. Joe Cassar said that to refurbish the whole of St. Lukes and bring it up to the standards of Mater Dei would require an expense of Euros 40,000,000. GonziPN is buying/renting St. Phillips for a minimum Euro 12,000,000. St. Phillips is a 120 bed hospital. I do not know what the bed capacity of St. Lukes is. However if it is more then 400 beds than the St. Phillips deal is a bad deal. Here is the Maths. 12,000,000/120 = 100,000 per bed. 40,000,000/400 beds = 100,000 per bed. That is the acid test. Does St. Likes have a bed capacity greater then 400 beds? I think it has.
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This proves that the opposition has been always right, that we have a big small hospital with less beds than expected, plus bad administration. What is going to happen to St Luke's in the meantime ? What a waste of money! I guess that the PN is really in a crisis situation and in a state of panic, but I doubt whether the people will consider their last minute attempt to lure back their votes !
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Zack Depasquale
Typical GonziPN arrogance. What's the hurry in signing this contract? Is it true that this week there is a court hearing regarding St Philips hospital debit? Why not first discuss Dr Debono's motion in Parliament? Oh yes, I remembered, GonziPN doesn't enjoy a Parliamentary majority anymore.
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arroganza grassa