Miguel Albuquerque said on Wednesday that the technical review of the updated costs for the third phase of the new hospital should be finished within two weeks. After that assessment, the Regional Government plans to launch a new international tender for the project. He made the comments in Funchal during a visit to Press Power Unipessoal Lda, responding to a DIÁRIO report suggesting the total cost could rise to one billion euros. The President said the original budget must be revised because construction, material, and labour costs have increased significantly in recent years. He added that the final phase is more technical and complex, with a larger technological component and different materials from earlier stages. Miguel Albuquerque said the project remains on schedule, but he would not confirm any final figure for the revised cost. He also noted that the Republic is committed to covering 50% of the project and that the updated funding arrangement will need formal approval.
