Will the Prešov region get a new modern hospital, or does the EU-funded project risk getting stuck in delays? Minister of Defense Robert Kaliňák assures that all obstacles have been removed and work on building the new medical center in Prešov has resumed at full capacity.
The project, which is part of a large-scale plan to modernize Slovak medicine, faced a number of problems that cast doubt on its timely completion. However, according to the official, the worst is already over.
What happened with the construction?
Work on the new hospital in Prešov has resumed and is proceeding at an accelerated pace. This was stated by Minister of Defense Robert Kaliňák, whose department oversees this project. He confirmed that all "problematic issues" that previously hindered the process have been successfully resolved.
Previously, construction faced difficulties related to project documentation and other organizational matters. This caused concern, as the project has strict deadlines tied to funding from European funds.
What hospital are we talking about?
The new university hospital in Prešov is one of Slovakia's key healthcare infrastructure projects. It is intended to be a modern medical facility capable of providing high-quality care to residents of the entire region.
Key features of the future hospital:
- Capacity: The project is designed for 849 beds.
- Standards: Most rooms are expected to be single rooms, meeting modern European standards for comfort and infection safety.
- Technology: The hospital will be equipped with the latest medical equipment.
- Cost: The total project budget is estimated at approximately 420 million euros.
Construction is being carried out on the principle of "hrubá stavba" (building the shell), which is the first and most important stage of implementation.
Why were there problems and what does the EU have to do with it?
The main challenge of the project is its financing. The construction of the hospital in Prešov, like a similar facility in Martin, is financed by the European Recovery and Resilience Plan (Plán obnovy a odolnosti). This imposes strict deadlines on Slovakia.
To receive full funding, the main construction work must be completed by mid-2026. Any significant delay in the schedule created a risk of losing millions of euros from EU funds. That is why the government pays such close attention to meeting deadlines and quickly resolving all problems that arise on the construction site.
What are the prospects for patients?
For residents of Prešov and surrounding areas, including Ukrainians living in the region, the successful completion of construction will mean a radical improvement in access to medical services. The new hospital will allow:
- Receiving complex diagnostics and treatment without having to travel to Bratislava or Košice.
- Reducing waiting times for planned surgeries and specialist consultations.
- Ensuring more comfortable conditions for inpatient stays.
While the minister's statement sounds optimistic, meeting the extremely tight schedule remains the key challenge. The future of the healthcare system in eastern Slovakia for decades to come depends on the success of this project.
