Boston-based Steward Health Care, the largest hospital operator in the U.S., finalized a public-private partnership to assume control of several public medical facilities in Malta, the health system announced Feb. 20.
The partnership was the result of Steward's purchase of various medical facilities previously entrusted to healthcare facilities manager Vitals Global Healthcare in Floriana, Malta, in Europe.
As part of the deal, Steward will also operate and invest in campus facilities for various healthcare organizations and schools located on the island, and offer its hospitals as teaching facilities for medical school students.
"Steward's innovative care model has successfully helped patients across the United States receive high-quality care while reducing medical expenses," said Ralph de la Torre, MD, founder, chairman and CEO of Steward Health Care. "We look forward to implementing this new model of exceptional care in Malta. We will invest in the medical facilities entrusted to us, upgrading them into state-of the-art hospitals, and will help ensure that the Maltese people live healthy, active lives."