~ Construction starts in third quarter ~
PHILIPSBURG--The construction of a new national hospital for St. Maarten came one step closer to reality with the receipt of four bids for the first phase of plans for the building of the medical facility.
Social and Health Insurances SZV said in a press release on Monday that the project was progressing “swiftly,” as construction of the new hospital was scheduled to start in the third quarter of this year with the goal of completion in the second half of 2019.
According SZV, the four bids received from Lievense, ICE, Arcadis and Royal Haskoning DHV were accepted for consideration on Monday, February 15. SZV had appointed KPMG to assist in the bidding process and four local and international engineering companies were requested to bid.
The four bids will undergo evaluation and negotiations will take place this week. The selection of the winning bid is scheduled for Friday, February 19. The second phase of the project will consist of preparation of the tender document for the design, construction and maintenance of the new hospital.
SZV Interim Director Glen Carty thanked KPMG Managing Director Henk de Zeeuw for his efforts thus far in assisting with the bidding and development process of the new hospital. SZV said it was looking for an engineering company to consult and advise it and Government on the functional requirements, development as well as cost and quality consulting for the development of the new hospital.
“With the construction, it is key that the new facilities are sustainable in hosting the ever-growing population of St. Maarten/Saint Martin, as well as cater to the expansion of medical services,” Carty said in the release.
Health Minister Emil Lee said he was “very pleased” with SZV's open approach to the development of the new hospital.
“Besides ensuring that the people will be getting the best quality hospital for a competitive price, the open approach encourages the participation of other stakeholders. Transparency has already opened the possibility of financing from Holland and structural cooperation with the French side.
“Development of a state-of-the-art hospital that is financially sustainable is a critical part of ensuring that all residents of St. Maarten have access to affordable and quality health care, close to home,” Lee said.
