First phase of construction of the new Zenica Cantonal Hospital begins

(Patria) - By signing the contract for the design and construction of a new boiler room as part of the project "Improving Energy Efficiency of the Public Institution Cantonal Hospital Zenica" today, the realization of one of the most significant infrastructural projects in the healthcare sector in the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC) - the construction of the new Zenica Cantonal Hospital - was officially launched.

The total value of the project is 19,285,081 euros, and it is being realized in several phases: construction of a new boiler room with a capacity of 9 MW worth three million euros, insulation of existing buildings (3,850,981 euros), construction of a new building and expansion of the existing one (9,600,000 euros), construction of a gas pipeline (1,330,000 euros), and supervision and design of works worth 1,235,000 euros.



The contract for the construction of the new boiler room, with a total value of 3,503,123.25 euros including VAT, was signed by Dr. Tarik Zulović, Director of the Public Institution Cantonal Hospital Zenica, and Mehmed Mahmutović, Director of Unioninvest d.d. Sarajevo, as the representative of the contractor.

The financial structure of the project is secured through loan funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the amount of 10 million euros, as well as grant funds from the European Union and co-financing from the Government of ZDC and the City of Zenica.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of ZDC Nezir Pivić, Minister of Health Dr. Aida Salčinović, EBRD Director for Bosnia and Herzegovina Stela Melnic, and Head of the Department for Responsible Institutional Governance at the Delegation of the European Union in BiH Karel Lizerot.

The hospital will receive a modern heating and ventilation system, thermal insulation, new joinery, and a new energy-efficient building with an area of 2,800 square meters. This will significantly reduce energy consumption and harmful gas emissions, and provide patients and staff with more comfortable and healthier working and living conditions.

- Projects like this bring concrete benefits to citizens - cleaner air, lower energy costs, and better healthcare services. Energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce pollution and protect public health, and a key part of the EU's Green Agenda.

Energy consumption in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still four times higher than the EU average, which shows the potential for savings and modernization. The EU remains committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards sustainable development and alignment with European standards - stated Karel Lizerot.

- This project is a strong example of how targeted investments in the public sector can bring significant environmental benefits. We are eager to continue supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in its efforts to make its construction sector greener and more energy-efficient - said Stela Melnic.



- By signing the contract today, the first phase of the new Cantonal Hospital realization has begun. The premises where we will implement energy efficiency measures are of more recent construction and will not be removed.

This will be followed by the construction of the boiler room, which will result in cleaner air in our city, but also bring a number of other benefits. The first phase also includes the Oncology building, which is expected to be around 8,000 square meters, which is of particular importance.

In the coming days, a public call will be issued for the design of the rest of the new Cantonal Hospital, so next year we will have a major construction site in this area - said Prime Minister Pivić.

The start of works on the construction of the new boiler room and accompanying infrastructure is planned for the beginning of next year, marking the beginning of the first phase of the new Zenica Cantonal Hospital project.