Developer Carlo Stivala has roped in health experts from Milan as part of his attempt to take over and restore the defunct St Philip’s Hospital in Santa Venera.

“This would be my first project in the healthcare sector and so experts, including from Milan, are helping me out” Mr Stivala tells WhosWho.mt.

“If I win the offer, I intend these experts to form part of the operation.”

Although he has traditionally invested in hotels, Mr Stivala is seeking to expand his portfolio and views healthcare as an interesting and stable business opportunity, particularly in light of Malta’s expanding population.

“I think the Government is doing a lot of good things in the healthcare sector but it needs some help from the private sector and I’m ready to cooperate,” he said. “Although healthcare isn’t my main field, I’m willing to bring in experts to guide me.”

While Mr Stivala intends to restore St Philip’s into a hospital and an elderly care home, he hasn’t yet taken a decision on whether the hospital will be a general or a specialised one.

“Healthcare is an ever-changing sector, and if I win the offer, I will speak to people involved in the field to discuss what is most needed for Malta. I’m open to any ideas, so long as it’s in the country’s best interest.”

He said the current word on the ground is that Malta needs a mental health hospital, and that he is keeping his options open regarding whether to go in this direction.

St Philip’s used to be a specialised healthcare centre that catered to medical tourists, particularly from the United Kingdom.

However, it closed in 2012 due to financial reasons, and it has remained abandoned ever since. Longstanding legal proceedings related to outstanding loans took a fresh turn in recent days when Mr Stivala purchased the debts that the hospital’s current owner Frank Portelli had with HSBC Malta.

According to Newsbook, the debt amounts to more than €14 million.

However, the future owner of St Philip’s will be decided by auction, overseen by the Office of the Official Receiver, as several other companies and people – including developer Anton Camilleri (Tal-Franciż) have also expressed interest.

All eligible bidders will have to promise to clear all the debts that Mr Stivala recently purchased from HSBC, currently owed by Dr Portelli.