Ex-Health Minister Criticizes Hospital Project Amidst Progress

Disagreement Erupts Over Banská Bystrica Hospital’s Future

Former Health Minister Marek Krajčí has reignited controversy surrounding the construction of a new hospital in Banská Bystrica. At a recent press conference, he cast doubt on the project’s timely completion and the fulfillment of a commitment to create new hospital beds, a claim that starkly contrasts with on-site progress reports.

Past Promises and Present Criticisms

The current debate revisits a complex history. Five years ago, the government led by Petr Pellegrini approved a substantial €104.5 million reconstruction of the existing Roosevelt Hospital. However, in October 2020, then-Minister Marek Krajčí announced the Igor Matovič government lacked funds, even considering a smaller facility near Zvolen, despite a tender process for the original hospital’s reconstruction already being underway.

This period also saw the dismissal and subsequent return of hospital directors. Later, under Minister Vladimir Lengvar, the Roosevelt Hospital revised its plans for a comprehensive upgrade. The project gained new momentum in 2023 with the government of Robert Fico, which designated the Faculty Hospital with Polyclinic FD Roosevelt in Banská Bystrica as a priority under the renewal plan, allocating over €354 million (excluding VAT).

Project Milestones and Official Reassurances

The renewal plan outlines key stages, aiming for the completion of rough construction by 2026 and final building approval in 2028. Current reports from control days indicate the Roosevelt Hospital team and its contractor are meeting these milestones. Upon completion, the new facility is expected to provide 771 beds.

Health Minister Kamil Šaško has consistently affirmed the project’s adherence to schedule. He stated, The construction of the new Faculty Hospital with the FD Roosevelt Polyclinic in Banská Bystrica is progressing according to plan. This project is one of the largest investments in hospital infrastructure in Slovakia’s history and will significantly improve the availability of top health care.

Krajčí’s Renewed Opposition

Despite these assurances from Minister Šaško, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Kmec, and the hospital’s own team, Marek Krajčí voiced strong dissent. Unfortunately, if experts are looking at it, they, unfortunately, evaluate the current state of readiness and construction of this hospital for insufficient and very difficult to handle. Banská Bystrica cannot do it and can not. Probably the beds that Banská Bystrica was supposed to deliver to the plan will not be able to deliver, Krajčí declared at his press conference.

Krajčí further suggested that funding from the renewal plan might be redirected to Prešov due to perceived issues in Banská Bystrica, referencing minutes from an expert group meeting in Brussels. This claim has drawn a sharp rebuttal from Minister Šaško, who fundamentally reject[s] the spread of panic and alarm reports aimed at the haunting of a vulnerable group, namely patients.

Renewal Plan Revisions and Funding

Deputy Prime Minister Kmec confirmed that a revision of the renewal plan, submitted to the European Commission, acknowledges that some milestones may not be met as initially scheduled. This revision will involve adjustments to timelines and scope, with increased financial allocations for measures demonstrating strong absorption capacity. Notably, €212 million is earmarked for healthcare within this revised plan, though the Banská Bystrica hospital project is not directly affected.

Krajčí also raised concerns about the government’s transparency regarding the plan and questioned the source of additional funds needed to complete projects like the Banská Bystrica hospital. His current stance is seen as particularly contradictory, given his previous administration’s halt to the Roosevelt Hospital’s reconstruction. Critics question whether Krajčí‘s persistent criticism stems from a genuine concern or a political agenda against previous and current governments.

The situation highlights a broader political tension surrounding national infrastructure projects, with the construction of the new Banská Bystrica hospital becoming a focal point. For residents of the region, Krajčí‘s continued criticism is viewed as unacceptable and detrimental to a vital public service.