Tallinn Social Welfare and Health Care Department director Raimo Saadi said the European Commission has published a schedule the city must keep to. The first stage required a design contract be signed before the end of the year, which Tallinn was able to do.

The next step is to sign contracts for excavation works, water supply and concrete structure tenders. These actions must be completed by the fall of 2023. The construction contract must be signed in the start of 2024 and construction must be completed by the summer of 2026, when the process of permit applications can be initiated. The development process should be completed by 2026.

Mayor of Tallinn Mihhail Kõlvart (Center) said Tallinn needs a new hospital, since the central hospital's rooms and buildings will be depreciated and unsafe for staff and patients.

The mayor said the hospital will service 600,000 people, a majority of which will not be Tallinn residents, which means the hospital will have a positive effect on healthcare across Estonia. There are 537 beds planned for the hospital with room to create more, if necessary.

Kõlvart said the city's current buildings do not meet the requirements necessary for a hospital, which is why hospitals cannot provide modern services. A new building would allow for that to happen, however.

"The more patients we have, the more experience we have. Along with data, which comes from the new knowledge," the mayor said. "This kind of development motivates our doctors to work in Estonia because the most modern conditions will be created."

Kõlvart pointed to the European Commission schedule, which the EU also monitors as a financer. He said the city will certainly find the resources to finish the mega-hospital and sticking to the schedule is key.

"The project is a priority for Tallinn. The necessary analyses and assessments have been conducted, we understand what the perspective is in terms of financing, as well," Kõlvart said.

Italian joint company ATIproject srl and 3TI Progetti representative Branko Zrnic said they have designed 17 hospitals in several countries worldwide. Their goal is to design the building and its surrounding are to work for the patients' well-being, which is why there are many green areas designed in the vicinity of the hospital. The hospital will also have solar panels.

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!