CABEI supervises two hospital construction projects that will improve access to healthcare in Guatemala

Guatemala City, June 19, 2025.– A technical mission from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) visited the construction sites of two new regional hospitals in Chiquimula and Sololá. These projects mark a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to expand and modernize public healthcare services, directly benefiting over 945,000 people, with an estimated indirect impact on an additional 814,000 residents.

The new hospital in Sololá, a five-story facility currently 63% complete, will feature 240 standard hospital beds and a total surface area of 14,543 square meters. These beds are designated for permanent patient care and serve as a key indicator of the health system’s operational capacity. Their inclusion will enable better resource planning and more efficient service delivery.

The hospital will serve the department of Sololá and neighboring communities in Chimaltenango, Quiché, and Totonicapán. It will offer specialized services in areas such as maternity, neonatology, internal medicine, surgery, and emergency care. As part of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance’s intercultural healthcare approach, the facility will also include a dedicated space for vertical births, supported by traditional midwives. This initiative respects local cultural practices and promotes more inclusive and community-centered care for Indigenous populations in Guatemala’s western highlands.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, followed by the equipment installation phase in 2026, with operations beginning mid-2027.

Meanwhile, the new hospital in Chiquimula has reached 38% progress. It will offer 189 new hospital beds across a modern 10,503-square-meter facility composed of four two-story modules. The new hospital will replace the existing facility and provide specialized care in areas such as trauma, orthopedics, surgery, intensive care, pediatrics, and gynecology, benefiting both Chiquimula and Zacapa departments.

“Expanding hospital infrastructure is key to improving access to quality healthcare and ensuring continuity of care. These new hospitals will strengthen critical areas such as neonatology, maternity, and intensive care, which will play a vital role in reducing maternal and infant mortality. Investing in health is investing in the present and future well-being of our communities,” said Miguel Almeyda, CABEI’s Country Manager in Guatemala.

Both hospitals are being developed by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) under a turnkey contract model, meaning they will be delivered fully designed, built, and equipped, ready for immediate operation. This approach enhances efficiency, ensures quality control, shortens project timelines, and increases cost transparency.

These initiatives reaffirm CABEI’s commitment to supporting its member countries in strengthening public health systems through sustainable investments with high social impact.