Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/904009
maltatoday SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2017 Opinion 26 M ater Dei management instantly reacted to the email published last Sunday on MaltaToday from an aggrieved mother whose son was undergoing chemotherapy, after she complained of a lack of drip stands, television and internet facilities. Soon after MaltaToday's enquiries, health minister Louis Deguara paid a visit to the relative to ensure any shortcomings would be addressed. Chris Scicluna, spokesperson for the Foundation for Medical Services, which is overseeing the final stages of the migration from St Luke's Hospital to Mater Dei, said the grievances in question did not "refer to the quality or standards of healthcare services offered at Mater Dei Hospital. The points raised are mainly related to hotel services which were previously unavailable in St Luke's Hospital. Nevertheless the management is committed to meet the expectations of patients and regrets any inconvenience caused by the migration process." But it was the government and the lead proponents of Mater Dei, prime minister Lawrence Gonzi and Louis Deguara, who put in their own personal store into promoting the hotel services of the state of the art Mater Dei hospital. Last week, MaltaToday published the email the mother sent to minister Louis Deguara on the quality of her son's sojourn: "After all the millions and time wasted and all the hype about moving: there is no internet or TV (apparently the authorities have still not decided on a provider) and what the ward staff are saying is that it might be ready by January/ February; there is no telephone service either in the rooms; believe it or not there are no drip stands in the hospital, so my son takes two doses of chemo (one over half an hour, the other over four hours), so he is literally chained to the bed by his chemo pipe!" On his part, FMS spokesperson Chris Scicluna said the patient entertainment system (PES) concession had been awarded earlier this year to Melita Cable. "Network testing is underway and should be over in the next few days. The necessary preparatory work to affix the TV equipment is complete and therefore the PES should be up and running shortly after all stations are delivered." But he denied claims of missing drip stands. "There are no missing drip stands. The point you mentioned revolves around mobile drip stands in a particular ward where this patient is recovered. A mobile drip stand was brought over in a short time to cater for this patient's needs. Having said this, Mater Dei Hospital management regrets the inconvenience caused." Complaints were also received at MaltaToday over the parking fee structure at the Mater Dei car park, which charges 50c an hour and a maximum of Lm3 per day. However, in the case of regular visitors who make several trips to and out of the hospital, complainants said they were paying anything between Lm6 to Lm8. Scicluna said the parking fee structure was under review. "At present, the Mater Dei parking fee structure is identical to that employed at St. Luke's Hospital. Long- term patients such as Renal, Oncology and others already have free parking, one car per patient. These special permits are issued after cases are screened by a board." Scicluna said migration to the new hospital would only take place when the health authorities are absolutely sure that patient safety (both during migration and in the new hospital) can be guaranteed. "In this respect, the health authorities decided to move on with the last phase of patient migration to Mater Dei even though some hotel services are still in the process of being activated." Send your letters to: The Editor, MaltaToday, MediaToday Ltd. Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 | Fax: (356) 21 385075 E-mail: newsroom@mediatoday.com.mt. Letters to the Editor should be concise. No pen names are accepted. News –21 November, 2007 Ministry, FMS react to Mater Dei shortcomings for leukaemia patient Vatican lawsuit against Futura Funds As reported on November 8 ("Vatican woes its own fault, says Maltese company in multi- million euro lawsuit"), Futura Investment Management is taking legal action against the Vatican Bank. The Bank has defaulted on its contractual commitments relating to a Hun- garian property investment. We will be seeking financial compensation for losses related to delays on the deal and repu- tational damages from IOR's original legal claim. We have been greatly disap- pointed by IOR's breach of contract, which resulted in the postponement of refurbishing one of the most beautiful build- ings in Europe and a jewel in the crown of the Hungarian capital. The Futura-Kappa fund purchased the Budapest Ex- change Palace in 2013 with the objective of refurbishing it, repositioning it in the market and selling it at a profit. This acquisition was made at the target price of €32m (for a 90% interest), which was signifi- cantly below the €40m valuation of the building at the time. This investment was clearly pre- sented to IOR's representatives at the time and represented an extremely attractive investment opportunity. The property is valued today at €56 million and, once redeveloped, will provide an attractive return for all investors. In 2013, the IOR entered into contractual commitments to invest €41m. However, it only invested €17m and is, therefore, clearly in default on its obliga- tions to meet its outstanding capital commitment of €24m as well as compensation for losses caused due to the delay in the development. This fell signifi- cantly behind schedule, which was a direct result of IOR's failure to honour its contractual obligations. In June 2017, despite having defaulted on its capital com- mitment and after months of negotiations, IOR rejected a bona fide offer to purchase its shares in the Futura-Kappa fund for an amount close to its original investment. This offer was rejected without the benefit of an explanation, a dialogue or a counter-offer. Futura believes that IOR made what could have been a highly profitable investment had it not reneged on its obligations. On the contrary, it appears that Futura has been caught in the cross-fire between the current and previous management of IOR. The development of Buda- pest Exchange Palace recently recommenced as Futura Invest- ment Management secured ad- ditional investment. They con- tinue to be optimistic about the ultimate success of the existing project and the completion of this landmark building. Andrea Suriano General Counsel, Futura Investment Management Unfair criticism over Malta's tax system The Malta Fund Industry Association (MFIA), Malta Association of Retirement Scheme Practitioners (MARSP) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Malta branch note the conclusions contained in the final report issued by the EU Parliament's PANA Committee (the PANA Committee) on 8th November, 2017. MFIA, MARSP and STEP note with regret that Malta's tax system was, during the course of the events leading up the appointment of the PANA Committee and during the course of its mandate, subject to unfair criticism and speculation. Without wishing to enter into the merit of the other findings and recommenda- tions by the PANA Committee, MFIA, MARSP and STEP note with satisfaction that the PANA Committee has, by means of its report, definitively laid to rest the unfair criticism and speculation about Malta's taxation system. Notably, the PANA Committee con- firmed, consistently with findings by other EU institutions in the past, that the Maltese tax system is in line with current international and EU standards as regards harmful tax competition and that Malta has transposed EU rules and respects OECD standards in terms of transparency, fight against tax fraud and money launder- ing. MFIA, MARSP and STEP call on all the stakeholders of the economy and the local media to work together for the common good of the industry. In this light, MFIA, MARSP and STEP support the conjoined statement issued by FinanceMalta, the Institute of Finan- cial Services Providers, the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Gozo Business Chamber in relation to Malta's tax system and the findings of the PANA Committee of 10 November, 2017. Matthew Brincat, Anthony Cremona & Kenneth Farrugia On World Children's Day World Children's Day highlights the right of every child to enjoy a life which guar- antees the provision of, among others, a family, educational and health services; protection from harm and abuse, and participation. As a human being a child has the right to be treated as an individual with dignity and respect. Those entrusted with the care of children, such as parents, guardians, edu- cators and social workers, should strive to ensure that all children enjoy their childhood. Listening to children and tak- ing their wishes and opinions in consid- eration, especially in matters that concern them, is of utmost importance. Children need, above all, love and security. For the second year running, the Office of the Commissioner for Children was instrumental in encouraging schools and other entities to celebrate World Chil- dren's Day. Over 60 primary, middle and secondary State, Church and Independ- ent Schools, have responded positively to this call. The schools' initiatives include a no homework day, special assemblies, healthy eating workshops, sports activi- ties, games, crafts, discussions and activi- ties embracing diversity and inclusion. Various Local Councils are also organis- ing activities to commemorate this day. The Office is also distributing vari- ous age-appropriate publications which promote children's rights, to primary school children attending, state, church and independent schools. These include colouring books, story books and games. The Children's Policy which was up for consultation some months ago will be officially launched together with a colour- ful child-friendly version of the Policy prepared by the Office. Suzanne Garcia Imbernon Office of the Commissioner for Children