For the benefit of more than 841,000 Hondurans, CABEI approves US$135 million to strengthen the hospital network in Honduras

Tegucigalpa, September 7^th, 2023 - TheCentral American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) approved financing of up to US$135 million for the for the implementation of the Hospital Network Support Program of the Republic of Honduras (PARH), which includes the design, construction, equipping and start-up of two new hospitals in the municipalities of Choluteca and Tocoa, in the south and northeast of the country, respectively, with the objective of strengthening the capacities of the Honduran health network and benefiting more than 841,000 people.

The hospitals have initial studies carried out through a non-reimbursable cooperation grant from CABEI and with this financing the final designs and construction, including access and mitigation works, will be carried out.  The modern facilities of both hospitals will be equipped with all clinical and electromechanical equipment, telecommunications and computer equipment, and clinical and non-clinical furniture. In addition, all the activities and supplies necessary for the operation of both hospitals, including modern information systems for their management, will be provided.

This initiative will make it possible to replace the San Isidro de Tocoa Hospital with a new, modern hospital for gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, neonatology, and other specialties. Likewise, the new Regional Hospital in Choluteca will specialize in medical-surgical care and will include new specialties such as nephrology, as well as a dialysis unit for Chronic Kidney Disease patients. In addition, it is expected that the current hospital will continue to provide care focused on the maternal-child area, which was recently remodeled.

The Program's total financing provides favorable conditions for the country at an average interest rate of 4.26%.   In the case of the Choluteca Hospital, it has resources from the Poverty Reduction and Economic and Social Exclusion Program (PRPEES), which offers concessional conditions for a 25-year term with a 5-year grace period. In addition, PARH is complemented by a grant, under a non-reimbursable financial cooperation modality through CABEI's Social Support Foundation (FAS), in order to include training processes consistent with the medical care to be provided at each hospital.

The operation is aligned with the 2020-2024 Institutional Strategy in the Human Development Strategic Axis, with the 2022-2026 Honduras Country Strategy in its Strategic Objective to Improving Coverage, Quality and Access to Public Health Services; and with the objective of the FAS to complement the Bank's efforts to promote social inclusion capacities and improve the quality of life of the population. In addition, it is expected to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDGs 1,3,5 and 8.