Fearne Recalls Vitals Clashes: Mizzi’s Push for Quick Deal

Fearne Recalls Vitals Clashes: “Mizzi Wanted to Ram Through Deal”

Malta’s political scene has been no stranger to heated debates and power plays. But one confrontation, involving former Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil and former Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, has left a lasting mark on the country’s healthcare sector. Busuttil, now an MP for the Nationalist Party, recently recounted his clashes with Mizzi over the Vitals/Steward hospitals concession in an interview with Hot Malta.

Vitals: A Brief Background

The Vitals Global Healthcare concession, awarded in 2015, was a 30-year deal that saw the privatisation of St Luke’s, St Thomas’ and Karin Grech hospitals. The concession was granted to Vitals Global Healthcare, a company linked to the controversial Dubai-based businessman, Naushad Ali. The deal, worth €70 million, was shrouded in controversy from the start, with critics alleging lack of transparency and inflated prices.

Fearne’s Account: “Mizzi Wanted to Ram Through Deal”

Busuttil, speaking from his office in Parliament, recalled the tense negotiations over the Vitals concession. “Konrad Mizzi was pushing for a quick deal,” he said, “He wanted to ram it through without proper scrutiny.” Busuttil claimed that Mizzi was resistant to any changes in the concession agreement, despite the Nationalist Party’s concerns about the lack of transparency and the high cost.

“We wanted more information, more details,” Busuttil said, “But Mizzi was adamant. He even threatened to walk away from the deal if we insisted on more details.” The standoff reached a head in a meeting at the Ministry of Health, where Busuttil alleges Mizzi lost his temper. “He slammed his fist on the table and stormed out,” Busuttil recalled.

Busuttil also revealed that the Nationalist Party had sought legal advice on the concession agreement. “Our lawyers advised us that the deal was not in the best interests of Malta,” he said, “But Mizzi refused to listen.”

The Vitals concession eventually collapsed in 2019, with the government terminating the agreement due to non-payment of fees. The hospitals are now back under public management, but the controversy surrounding the concession continues to echo in Maltese politics.

Busuttil’s revelations shed new light on the contentious Vitals deal and the political wrangling that surrounded it. They also raise questions about the lack of transparency and accountability in the concession process, issues that continue to dog Malta’s political scene.

As Malta looks to the future of its healthcare sector, these revelations serve as a stark reminder of the importance of strong scrutiny and democratic oversight in decision-making processes.