Hospital construction advances in Sololá and Chiquimula with CABEI support
• The works, which will benefit 945,000 people, began their construction phase at the end of 2023 and report progress in the foundation and steel structure assembly phases.
• Interest on the loan financed by the Bank is paid only on the amount disbursed, according to the progress made in the execution of the program.
Guatemala City, February 23, 2024.- Committed to improving and increasing the availability, access and coverage of health care services in Guatemala, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) is financing the construction of new hospital infrastructure and equipment in the departments of Sololá and Chiquimula, which is expected to benefit more than 945,000 people.
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), the entity in charge of executing this Investment Program, began the construction process of the "Juan de Dios Rodas" hospital in Sololá and the National Hospital in Chiquimula after complying with national construction and environmental regulatory requirements. To date, both projects report progress in their foundation and metal structure assembly phases.
The Sololá hospital, which began construction in December 2023, will provide 15,685 square meters of new infrastructure to improve medical care with 240 reportable beds. The work in Chiquimula, which has a planned area of 10,503 square meters to house a total of 189 reportable beds, began its construction phase in September of last year.
Resources for hospital investment in these departments come from the Hospital Infrastructure and Equipment Investment Program, financed by CABEI in the amount of US$193.2 million. This loan does not include the payment of a commitment fee, which means that interest is paid only on the amount disbursed, depending on the progress made in executing the program.
The financing also includes US$79 million from the Republic of Korea, the Bank's extra-regional partner country, with a term for principal repayment of up to 25 years and a 7-year grace period. The blending of CABEI and Korean funds allows Guatemala to obtain better financial conditions.
