Mário Fernandes, managing partner of MBW, stated that on May 5, the company was contacted not regarding a modular hospital, but to assess the type of solutions available for the potential hospitalization of patients. This was discussed at the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee on the Fire at HDES, which convened in Ponta Delgada.
Fernandes indicated the contact was made by Mónica Seidi, the regional secretary of Health and Social Security. Seidi has been accused of imposing the modular hospital solution as a means to restore healthcare services at the unit, instead of investing in the rehabilitation of the main building damaged by the fire.
During the parliamentary hearing, Fernandes recalled that the initial intention of the coalition government (composed of PSD, CDS-PP, and PPM) was to construct a small-scale modular hospital utilizing the heliport area, featuring only two capabilities: an emergency service and a 120-bed inpatient facility.
“It was a 1,675 square-meter solution. At that time, we were only able to accommodate 92 beds, not because we didn’t want to meet the 120-bed requirement, but to stay within the heliport space and mitigate infrastructure costs,” explained Fernandes to the deputies.
The businessman noted that gradually, members of the HDES Board of Directors suggested modifications to the initial modular hospital project to include an operating room, maternity ward, pediatric emergency services, and neonatology, along with X-ray, CT, and MRI equipment, which increased the initial estimated cost of 11 million euros.
“By August 31, the emergency department was being inaugurated,” just 34 days after the project was awarded, affirmed Fernandes, emphasizing that despite all the changes introduced to the project, the company managed to meet the originally stipulated 60-day deadline.
When questioned about the possibility of installing the modular hospital on another island in the event of a disaster—a feature touted by the Azorean government as a significant advantage—Fernandes confirmed it would be possible, although complex and financially burdensome, potentially costing around 30% of the initial budget.
Fernandes said that no members of the HDES Board showed opposition to the modular hospital solution, contradicting statements made by the former president, Manuela Gomes de Menezes, who claimed she would resign if compelled to award the project.
“In our view, Dr. Manuela Menezes was always a catalyst for the solution! We felt everyone was on the same wavelength!” insisted Fernandes, recalling that Menezes participated in nearly all meetings and never opposed the investment.
The fire that broke out on May 4 at HDES on São Miguel Island originated from “power factor correction batteries” and was fought by volunteer firefighters for about seven hours, necessitating the transfer of all inpatients to other healthcare facilities, including those outside the region.
