The loan of US$193 million approved in 2020 for the construction of five public hospitals faces delays in its execution, and could require an extension to continue with the projects, whose financing term expires on December 31, 2026.
The progress of the works has generated questions in Congress for significant delays, cost increases and the possibility that the State must assume additional financing with its own resources, despite having the international credit of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
According to what was discussed in the summons of this Monday, June 22, the projects include hospitals in Sololá, Chiquimula, Cobán, Alta Verapaz; Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez; and Jutiapasome of which are still in the award or construction phase, while others already show significant variations in their original costs.
He deputy José Chicfrom the Will, Opportunity and Solidarity (VOS) group, pointed out that delays in execution have caused hospitals to project themselves for much longer periods than initially planned, with deliveries that even could be extended until 2029in some cases.
“In 2023, only the construction of the Sololá and Chiquimula hospitals will begin. Until now, in 2026, they are starting with the awarding of Suchitepéquez and Alta Verapaz; the Jutiapa hospital is still pending.”he stated.
Chic warned that this situation implies a direct impact on the financial planning of the project.
“The loan will be insufficient for the construction of the five hospitals. “The State is going to have to invest around an additional Q800 or Q900 million”he indicated.
He also questioned the increases in the costs of the works, pointing out that some projects almost double their initial value; one of these is the Sololá hospital, which “Originally it was going to cost Q250 million and now it is going for Q450 million,” he pointed out.
Along these lines, the deputy criticized the planning of the project and the lack of technical support for the increases. “For that there was planning and some pre-bases; officials will have to be reported,” he added.
Health justifies delays
For its part, the Special Program and Project Execution Unit, of the Ministry of Healthexplained that the process requires requesting an extension, because it is still There are projects under evaluation and award.
“What corresponds is to request an extension… we have three events that are about to be awarded, that is, two awarded and one to be awarded,” indicated Didia Solís, director of the Unit.
The official explained that the delays are mainly due to the complexity of the technical evaluations and the approval process of the financing bank.
“Each technical offer must be evaluated very well, and that takes time,” he said.
He added that some projects were redesigned when it was determined that They were not simple renovations, but new hospitals. “Originally they were considered improvements, but when evaluating the hospitals, they really cannot be improved or renovated,” he explained.
Solís also indicated that the new designs imply greater hospital capacity and more complex technology, which also impacts costs. One of the main increases, according to the official, is due to the fact that there were purchases to equip the hospitals.
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They question low execution
In the same quote, Deputy Orlando Blanco He questioned the execution of resources by the Health portfolio, pointing out that there are unused funds destined for hospital infrastructure.
“Q1,127 million have been left unexecuted in the Ministry of Health for the improvement, renovation, remodeling, expansion of hospitals nationwide”he stated.
He added that several departments have minimal or no levels of execution. “Jutiapa has not executed a single eighth, Suchitepéquez, Santa Rosa and El Progreso have not executed absolutely anything”he pointed out.
“That is negligence, irresponsibility, mediocrity […] With that money, four new and equipped hospitals could have been built,” Indian.
Finally, Blanco pointed out responsibilities within the Ministry of Health for the lack of execution. “Here there is the responsibility of the directors of each hospital, the vice minister of Hospitals, and the vice minister of the Departmental Directorates of Integrated Health Services Networks,” he concluded.
CABEI reports progress
According to information from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the Sololá Hospital—one of the loan projects— registers a physical progress of more than 88% and includes a five-level infrastructure, specialized areas, heliport and modern equipment under the “turnkey” modality.
The project includes emergency, surgery, maternity and outpatient services, as well as medical technology to expand the coverage to more than 500 thousand peopleaccording to the financial organization.
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