Honduras looks to speed up reconstruction of Roatán hospital

After the fire that destroyed Roatán island’s public hospital, Honduras’ congress approved a motion to speed up rebuilding the facility. 

The fire last Friday destroyed the only public hospital on the Caribbean island. The health ministry has set up temporary facilities until a new hospital can be built. 

Construction of a new hospital had been mired in red tap but after the fire the ministry announced it could start work as soon as next month. 

“We hope to start construction of the permanent hospital for Roatán’s inhabitants in May, the design is being revised,” said health minister Karla Paredes, according to news outlet Hondudiario. 

On Tuesday evening, congress approved a motion presented by lawmaker Raymond Cherington calling on the ministry to speed up the awarding of the contract and all pre-construction procedures. The motion was passed with 111 votes in favor out of 128.

According to congress' social media accounts, the document calls for strategic and operational planning to reestablish health services on the island. 

So far no capex amounts or tenders related to the reconstruction of the hospital have been published.