The European Investment Bank has agreed to provide EUR 20 million to the Centre Hospitalier Territorial de Nouvelle Calédonie to support the construction of a new hospital complex on the outskirts of the capital of New Caledonia, Nouméa. The Médipôle facility will replace 4 older existing hospitals and allow a 30% increase in medical consultations.
Once complete the new Médipôle complex will provide 585 in-patient and 60 day care beds alongside new facilities for the Institute Pasteur, rehabilitation, cancer and renal treatment centres. The new facility is expected to welcome the first patients in 2016.
“New Caledonians will benefit from improved healthcare once the new Médipôle complex is operational. The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting long-term investment in healthcare that provides the latest treatment and medical techniques for patients and this support for the new Médipôle complex follows significant EIB support for reducing energy costs at the Centre Hospitalier de Polynésie.” said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President.
The new Médipôle complex will not only strengthen provision of outpatient and day care in New Caledonia, but also contribute to an expected 40% reduction in energy costs.
Construction of the Médipôle de Koutio started in 2012 and is being led by VINCI Construction France and VINCI Construction DOM-TOM. French Development Agency, AFD, is also supporting the Médipôle project.
Over the past 5 years the European Investment Bank has provided nearly EUR 10 billion for long-term investment in healthcare projects across Europe and around the world. The EIB’s involvement helps to ensure that technical experience gained from schemes is passed on to hospitals and other healthcare projects being built for the first time.