Vallo Tillmann, head of the Children's Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, said the 40-year old building has long needed reconstruction with the exterior facade of the building being a particular eyesore for residents of Tartu.

Tillmann said: "Especially when arriving at the hospital from Ravila tänav, the exterior facade can be scary and even uninviting. But we've been in a situation where we don't know where to assign the money, should we repair the walls or improve conditions in our different wards. We've decided on the latter."

The clinic has seen urgent renovations over the last years but most of the problems can only be solved by a new building. For example, it is hard to maintain adequate temperatures in wards in cold and hot weather. The structure of the building is also not child-friendly.

Tillmann said: "The current building was made to be an infection clinic and that brings a set of issues. We've tried adjusting the current building as much as possible, but the structure with its base constructions has set limits. When designing (a new building - ed.), we put much attention into making the treatment process as logical and child-friendly as possible."

Construction of a new Children's Clinic complex will begin in July. The new building, along with its technical solutions, will cost close to €70 million.

In addition to a new children's clinic, there will also be an ear clinic, a family center at the Women's Clinic, and a day surgery department.

Tartu University Hospital has not yet decided what will happen to the current children's clinic.

Tillmann concluded: "There was an assessment conducted last year, which showed us that it is in relatively good shape structurally. There have been many ideas, maybe a hotel for patients. But no concrete decision has been made yet."

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