The completion of the new Barts campus in Gozo, which was originally meant to open its doors two years ago, has been again pushed back after it transpired that the existing makeshift premises will remain in use for another year.

The decision was confirmed by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo when replying to a parliamentary question filed by Gozitan Opposition MP Chris Said.

Mr Bartolo confirmed that the Gozo sixth form, which has been in use pending the completion of the campus, would be used for the next academic year as well.

Though the minister was not forthcoming when asked on the number of students attending courses in Gozo, citing commercial sensitivity, the Times of Malta reported that these totalled just 40. The figure was provided by a Barts spokeswoman in London.

Announced in 2015, the facility, which is being constructed adjacent to the Gozo General Hospital, has been dogged by delays from the very start. The project was part and parcel of a 30-year concession given by the government to Vitals Global Healthcare to run three State hospitals.

At the time, it was reported that in its first year, in September 2016 the new campus would receive 60 students which would rise to 300 over a five-year period.

In March last year, when the project was already behind schedule, VGH issued a statement marking the start of work, saying “weekly updates regarding work are being posted on the company website and sent out to all staff members and stakeholders”. This did not happen.

For some reason, the momentum of work was once again lost, and by May the project ground to a halt. The Health Ministry said the delay had been caused by the discovery of archaeological findings.

Meanwhile, last December, less than two years into its contract, VGH transferred its concession to US company Steward Health Care.

During this time, the project remained grounded with very little or no activity at all going on.

In January, works were at a standstill and not even all the foundations had been laid. 

Hospital staff confirmed that no further progress was noticed in the last two months.

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