The Truth About the Hospitals’ Concession: No Theft, Just Hospital Operations and Improvements

The truth behind the hospitals concession has now been laid bare, and it’s time to cut through the spin. The opposition, led by Adrian Delia, has spent years falsely claiming that the government “stole €400 million” — but the facts tell a different story.

Let’s break it down simply: The hospital concession was a two-phase agreement.

Phase 1: Transition & Service Delivery

The first phase, which Government was in when the concession was terminated, was all about transition. It was focused on taking over the operations of existing hospitals, improving service, and providing quality healthcare to the public. During this period, the concessionaire—first Vitals Global Healthcare, then Steward Health—received the equivalent of the annual budget for Karen Grech and Gozo hospitals and annual adjustments of the health budget. No extra money, just the budget required to run the hospitals effectively.

The money wasn’t disappearing into some black hole. It was used for hospital operations, paying salaries, and making some routine improvements to existing facilities. In short, the money went to keeping the hospitals running, as was always agreed. No theft. No scandal.In addition, Bart’s medical school was also developed in line with international best practise and leases to the University.

Phase 2: New Hospitals & Capital Investment

The next phase of the concession, which would have seen the construction of new hospitals, was still in the planning stages. This was not the phase the project was in when the concession was ended. The model for the second phase involved payments per hospital bed, based on new hospital facilities. But that was not what we were dealing with at the time. Government never paid for this.

The London ICC tribunal confirmed this: The money the government paid went directly to the operation of existing hospitals, with a portion spent on capital investments like the improvements—which were completed and operating as agreed. The ICC found that the government received fair value for every euro spent.

Adrian Delia: The Smiling Snake of the Nationalist Party

So, what’s the opposition’s spin?

The opposition, led by Delia, is trying to mislead the public by pretending there was some massive, hidden fraud. They keep asking, “Where’s the money gone?” The answer is simple: the money went towards operating hospitals, ensuring good healthcare for the people, and routine upgrades—all as part of the agreed transition phase.

The PN’s Political Deception Exposed

Delia and his party have been peddling a false narrative for years. They wanted to create a scandal where none existed, trying to score cheap political points by repeating a number—€400 million—that they pulled out of thin air. But the truth has come out: The money was spent on exactly what it was supposed to be used for. No fraud. No theft. Just healthcare services in accordance with the contract.

Now that the facts are out, the question is: Will the Nationalist Party and Adrian Delia stop spinning lies, and start focusing on solutions that actually benefit the country?