Miguel Albuquerque, expressed his satisfaction this afternoon with the resolution of the Council of Ministers that will allow the proceeds from the sale of the Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital to reduce the region’s debt to the state.
“This is what was agreed,” said Miguel Albuquerque, stressing that “the debt reduction is less of a burden for Madeirans and Porto Santo, especially in the future.”
Speaking at a commercial establishment in Funchal, the regional President’s statement comes after the council resolution became official in the Official Gazette on Friday. The statement updates the model of financial support for the construction, supervision of the contract, and the acquisition of medical and structural hospital equipment of the Central and University Hospital of Madeira, which is currently under construction.
The document provides that the transfers corresponding to the amount planned for 2024 will be dependent on a suitable guarantee, employing a protocol, that the entire value of the sale of the building of the current Hospital in Funchal will be paid to offset some of the region’s debt to the Portuguese Republic, under the Economic and Financial Adjustment Programme.
However, the existing hospital unit will continue to operate while construction is underway on the new Central and University Hospital of Madeira, which is expected to open in 2027.
“At the moment, the hospital [Dr. Nélio Mendonça] is fully functioning, and we are continuing to invest in the building and services,” said Miguel Albuquerque, adding that the recent remodeling of the surgery block cost 2.8 million euros, while renovation work to the intensive care unit will cost approximately 2.5 million euros. “It is essential that there is stability and that the hospital continues to function normally until the new hospital is ready.” Claimed the President.
According to the resolution of the Council of Ministers, the costs of the construction of the new Central and University Hospital of Madeira are borne by the Directorate-General of the Treasury and Finance (DGTF), while the appropriations entered in the State Budget correspond to 50% of the value of the construction, including advice on the supervision of the contract and medical and hospital equipment.
The appropriations may not exceed the following amounts each year: EUR 3 876 475.00 (2021); 6.128.677,00 (2022); 18.278.689,00 (2023); 27.954.056,00 (2024); 28.213.841,00 (2025); 23.326.149,00 (2026); 23,326,149.00 (2027) and 1,887,688.00 (2028).
The project includes a heliport and 1,160 parking lots, with a 5,000 square metre research area, representing an investment of 352 million euros.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
