An Italian firm is set to receive a €2.3 million contract to review plans for the Vitals hospitals in Malta, a project mired in controversy. The Vitals Global Healthcare (VGH) deal, signed in 2015, granted a 30-year concession to manage three public hospitals, but was annulled by a Maltese court in February 2023 due to allegations of fraud and corruption. The project has been plagued by accusations of kickbacks, cronyism, and financial impropriety, with several high-ranking officials, including former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, facing investigation.
The contract’s troubled history includes VGH’s sale to Steward HealthCare in 2018 for a nominal €1, despite receiving €50 million from the Maltese government. Steward has accused the Maltese government of failing to fulfill its promises, while the government has demanded compensation for breaching contractual obligations. The Italian firm’s review aims to assess the project’s viability and potential costs, amidst ongoing disputes and allegations of corruption.
