The Defence Ministry will announce its next steps regarding the construction of the hospital in Prešov after it receives an expert assessment expected next week, announced Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD).
Kaliňák pointed out that construction has been suspended due to checks on the quality of work carried out on the building's load-bearing structures. He rejected claims that the state has failed in the matter. According to him the costs will be primarily borne by the contractor, according to the amended contract and a decision on how to move forward will come next week.
He attended a session of the parliamentary health committee initiated by the opposition. Although the committee lacked a quorum, Kaliňák, Education Minister Tomas Drucker and Health Minister Kamil Šaško (both Hlas-SD) stayed for the informal discussion. However, opposition representatives criticised the lack of concrete answers to their questions.
"We did not learn any specific details. The Minister spoke about ten columns, but leaked reports indicate that problematic concrete works took place three or four months ago," said MP Oskar Dvořák (PS).
Opposition representatives also criticised the absence of information on delays to the project and its final cost. KDH MPs Peter Stachura and Frantisek Majersky rejected the government's arguments regarding construction supervision and criticised the non-publication of contracts.
MP Tomas Szalay (SaS) questioned the continuity of the project if the hospital is not completed by the end of the current electoral term.
On 30 April, Kaliňák announced that the Defence Ministry has suspended construction of the military hospital in Prešov due to checks on the quality of work on the structure's load-bearing elements. Experts are to determine whether the problematic sections can be repaired or must be demolished and rebuilt. He also conceded that the completion date for the hospital project could be delayed.
Source: TASR
