Termination letter sent to Steward Health Care by government

Mar 22 2023

The government sent a termination letter to Steward Health Care on Tuesday following the recent scandal and court ruling.

The government also revealed that it is stepping in immediately to run the three state hospitals Karin Grech Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital and Gozo General Hospital.

This move gives notice to Steward that it is rejecting the termination conditions which Steward put forth last week upon its announcement that it will be quitting operations on the island.

The government revealed, through Health Minister Chris Fearne in parliament, that it will be carrying out a controlled step in, meaning that it will start running the hospitals with immediate effect.

The government will do so on the healthcare giant’s behalf for the upcoming two weeks. The facilities aforementioned will only formally return to the government once the transition period ends.

Sources within the government informed Times of Malta that this move gives the government a stronger legal footing should it decide to sue the company for damages. The government wishes to avoid a €100 million payment Steward wants to push for having its deal to run the hospitals cancelled earlier than agreed upon.

On his part, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne told parliament that he would safeguard all jobs and contracts to people working at any of these hospitals.

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Roberta Metsola meets Jean Paul Sofia’s mother Isabelle

Mar 22 2023

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola had the chance to meet Isabelle Bonniċi, the mother of late Jean Paul Sofia.

‘No mother should go through what Isabelle Bonniċi is going through’ wrote Metsola. ‘We are obligated to fuel our courage so that justice is delivered’.

Metsola finished her post by echoing the slogan which has been touted by activists and concerned citizens alike ever since the tragedy: ‘Justice for Jean Paul Sofia.’

Jean Paul Sofia was tragically killed in December of 2022 during the collapse of a three-story building in Kordin. The death sparked not only a controversy into infrastructural issues on the island but also protests calling for transparency due to the inquiry into his death not being made public.

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World’s first athlete with 76% physical disability to finish a marathon

Mar 22 2023

Alex Roca, a 32-year-old athlete with 76% cerebral palsy, has just become the first to finish a marathon with the physical disability.

Roca, ambassador of the FC Barcelona Foundation and currently the only Nike athlete with cerebral palsy in the world, suffered from herpetic viral encephalitis at just six months.

This cause cerebral palsy and a 76% disability. This did not stop him however, as the Catalan decided to prepare to run a marathon and spread awareness, and encouragement, to all those around him.

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A post shared by Alex Roca ➕ (@alexroca91)

And on Sunday he did just that, finishing the line of the Barcelona Marathon in 5:50:51, thus fulfilling his lifelong dream to run with cerebral palsy.

Speaking to Spanish media ‘El Mundo’, he stated that: ‘The limit is up to you, and if you want to achieve an objective, whatever difficulties you have, with attitude, willpower, perseverance and resilience, you can achieve everything you propose. And if you do not achieve it, you will have given everything and must feel gratified.’

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Ħamrun Spartans meet school kids for World Down Syndrome Day

Mar 22 2023

Ħamrun Spartans, in association with NGO Ħamrun Ħanin, celebrated and created awareness for World Down Syndrome Day by visiting their little fans in St Joseph School, Blata l-Bajda.

@hamrunspartansfc

Happy World Down Syndrome Day. 🧦🧦 #spartansontiktok #hamrunspartans #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndromeday #foryou

♬ Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez

The players met, played and even gifted some of the kids at the school – with one of these special supporters with Down Syndrome herself absolutely loving it!

The players even set up a little podium to hand out gifts and Ħamrun Spartans shirts as trophies for the little supporters. They also had the chance to interact with some of the educators of the school to highlight the importance of physical activity.

‘A day which reminds us that everyone is special, in their own unique way’ wrote Ħamrun Ħanin on social media.

Well done to all involved!

#MaltaDaily