Falando na abertura do Congresso Mundial de Saúde Mental, realizado em Barcelos, Ana Povo responded to the local mayor, Mário Constantino, expressing confidence in the continuation of government support for the new hospital.
“I hereby affirm that [the construction of the new hospital] is a commitment of this Government,” stated Ana Povo, noting that the investment will total 200 million euros.
Mário Constantino emphasized that this year the project has already made significant advancements.
In June, a public tender was launched for the development study and execution project of the new hospital. However, the procedure was canceled because a previous contract, signed in 2010 and later suspended, was revived.
According to the Local Health Unit of Barcelos/Esposende, this approach will speed up the project and reduce additional costs.
The new hospital will serve over 150,000 people from Barcelos and Esposende, located in the district of Braga.
It will replace the current Misericórdia building, which faces structural constraints ranging from an overcrowded emergency room to a lack of operating rooms, inadequate consultation and inpatient facilities, and deficiencies in oncology, orthopedics, and pediatrics.
The construction is expected to commence between 2026 and 2027, with a completion timeline of three to four years.
The facility is envisaged as a community hospital, with a strong emphasis on outpatient care.
The number of inpatient beds will increase from the current 117 to 218.
The surgical block will expand from two to six rooms, with the potential to reach eight.
The new hospital will also feature three X-ray machines, three ultrasound units, two CT scanners, and one MRI machine.
Additionally, there will be an intermediate care unit, a mental health area, a day hospital, and new specialties such as gastroenterology and child and adolescent psychiatry.
The hospital will be built on a plot exceeding 155,000 square meters, purchased by the Barcelos City Council for four million euros.
The government has already included the hospital in the multi-annual health investment plan, allocating a total budget of 163.3 million euros.
