A strategic workshop on the Cape Verde Hospital Project (HCV) was held on January 30 and 31, bringing together international experts, government representatives and strategic partners to discuss the clinical aspects, delivery models and financing of the initiative.
The discussions addressed the clinical viability and impact of the proposed alternatives for the Cape Verdean health system, including strategies for the growth of hospital services and integration with the Agostinho Neto University Hospital. Possible sources of funding and models for building and operating the new hospital were also analyzed, with a focus on maintenance and service provision.
The meeting made it possible to define the best approach for phase 1 of the project, ensuring its viability and financial sustainability. The discussions centered on the idea of a modular approach to the project’s implementation, in line with its particularities, namely the associated costs and implementation deadlines. With this in mind, it was discussed and agreed to implement the project in modules, with each module corresponding to a specific area of diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, an action plan was drawn up for the next steps, including new market consultations and the structuring of procurement stages.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Finance, financiers, infrastructure experts and the Public-Private Partnership Taskforce team, led by UGPE Coordinator Nuno Gomes.
At the end of the meeting, the Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, João Santos, representing the Taskforce, took stock of the workshop, stressing that the event was a milestone in defining the guidelines for the implementation of the hospital, consolidating viable options for its structuring and operation.
He also pointed out that the mission carried out during the workshop focused on discussing this modular approach with the main partners in the sector and funders. According to him, the results were positive, with the Ministry of Health and INPS validating the modular strategy as essential to achieving the government’s objectives. He added that the insurance companies, potential partners in the financing and management of the hospital, indicated a strong interest in including orthopedics and traumatology, which account for around 15% of medical evacuations and are a priority for the insurance sector.
According to João Santos, the solution found was to adopt a modular construction model, which will allow the hospital to be implemented in phases. He also explained that, in the first phase, which will begin this year, the priority will be to move forward with two modules that currently account for a considerable proportion of medical evacuations: oncology (30%) and cardiology (20%). The aim, as the advisor stressed, is to ensure that these specialties start operating as soon as possible, reducing evacuation costs and strengthening the capacity of the national health system.
Finally, João Santos said that, given this scenario, there will need to be adjustments to the partnership strategy to accommodate the interests of the insurance companies, ensuring that their priority areas are included in the project progressively. He concluded by stressing that, with alignment between the government, financial partners and the private sector, the Cape Verde Hospital project will move forward in a structured and sustainable way, ensuring the viability of the investment and the positive impact for the country.