PM slams former PN government for the ‘glorified polyclinic’ meant to be Gozo general hospital

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday committed his government to supplying first class healthcare service for citizens of Gozo, and slammed the previous Nationalist Party administration for only providing resources to run a “glorified polyclinic”.

His comments were made during a political activity in Xaghra. Health minister Chris Fearne also addressed the activity, choosing to focus on the health sector decisions taken by this administration and the benefits they are creating.

“Lessons learnt from the situation of the Gozo general hospital meant that it was understandable for Gozitans to feel like second class citizens.

“It appears that the aim for it was to be a glorified polyclinic. It was a place that, in truth, was kept functional thanks to the dedication of the people running it.

“The medical infrastructure of Gozo was non-existent. There wasn’t even a plan to place tiles in the front hall, let alone the bigger and more pertinent needs that the hospital required”.

He committed the government to provide healthcare in Gozo with dignity, and that would make the citizens of Gozo feel proud of.

Turning to issues of tourist levels in Gozo during shoulder months, he said:

“Let us solve the problem of Gozo where between March and September there are many people visiting, but for the remainder of the year not enough people visit that would keep the economy growing at a healthy pace.”

“This is a government of change, but an Opposition of the status quo,” he said.

Dr Muscat pointed out that the Opposition have cried corruption for every single contract signed by this government, such as the Shanghai Electric contract, the public transport bus contract and the Vitals Global Healthcare contract.

He stressed that the Opposition knows well that certain commercial information cannot be published, even when the time period covered by the contract comes to an end.

“The opposition knows that and have done the same when they were in power, so much so the Malta International Airport contract cannot even be published today, under this administration. the same goes for the Liquigas contract.

“The argument still can be made that the wrongdoings of the past does not justify wrongdoings of today. They called for the discussion of such contracts in parliament if the government has nothing to hide.

“Well I say let’s discuss them in detail in Parliament, we have nothing to hide, and we will not be ashamed of building new hospitals and providing better care. I have not heard one single case were corruption allegations were backed up by proof. Were they pointed it out and say ‘look, here is where corruption took place.”

Prime Minister Muscat pointed out to comments Albert Fenech gave to The Malta Independent, over the Vitals healthcare project to take over three hospitals in Malta and Gozo where he said that he would not be involved in anything dubious.

Mr Fenech forms part of the Vitals medical board, is a member of the Medical Association of Malta, and was a former MP under the PN during this current legislature.

“Through our work we have created more opportunities for accountants, doctors, lawyers and all workers.

“Through our decision to bring Barts medical school in Gozo, we have attracted a hub of foreign medical students and workers to base themselves on the sister island of Malta.”

He highlighted how, if he listened to the Opposition and lowered the electricity prices the way in which they were demanding, today the government would have to announce that come January, prices were going up again.

“Today the citizens of Malta and Gozo can rest assured that the price went down by 25 per cent and will remain that way despite a 13% increase in the price of oil,” he exclaimed.

He spoke of how the government does not agree with the judgment regarding the two seats lost by the PN due to a miscount of votes during the last general election, and said “we respect it, bow our heads and comply as is our duty”.

He reminded the audience of protests the Opposition held outside the law courts before the judgement even came out, stating that they would take the case all the way to European courts should the conclusion not be in their favour.

“This rule where the Opposition can carry out such actions but the government can’t is very interesting,” he noted.

Also addressing the event, themed ‘Malta’s success, so that everybody can move forward’, was health minister Chris Fearne.

“With politics, like in life, big opportunities do not come often. A sign if it is political with a strong vision, or whether it is weak and worth nothing, it is up to the individual to choose and ensure that know opportunities slip through your fingers.

“Today, the government of Prime Minister Muscat takes those hard decisions, and snaps up each good opportunity that comes our way. If we did not take hard decisions we would still have out-ofstock medicines, still have long waiting lists, we would be offering a worse service.

“Others have showed fear when it came to taking hard decisions. We have our vision, so they try to spread fear. Fear paralyses you. When the Nationalist Party was in government they were paralysed with fear... that is why they did not take good decisions.