Guatemala Inaugurates the National Hospital of Chimaltenango.
The hospital’s infrastructure counts with the latest advances in technology making the medical facility “the most modern in Central America,” as described by the government of Guatemala in a press release. The National Hospital of Chimaltenango was inaugurated on February 20th.
The new hospital, built with the support of the Republic of China (Taiwan), opened its doors to the inhabitants of the department of Chimaltenango and other municipalities of Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, Quiché, Sololá and Guatemala, who will receive “care that dignifies the person” regardless of their economic status.
It is “a hospital in which the economically disadvantaged people will enjoy the best services and the latest advances in medical science,” stressed Giammattei during the inauguration ceremony of the new hospital run by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS).
The Chimaltenango National Hospital expanded its capacity from 170 beds (with which the old MSPAS facility operated) to 340 beds and will offer 15 specialties, thus tripling the number of this type of services.
He said that the new facility “undoubtedly marks a milestone in history, since it has an immense capacity for expansion.” There are plans to open in about six months the Regional Hemodialysis Center with 55 machines and “the best technology” to patients who will receive services free of charge.
President Giammattei highlighted that with the inauguration of the Chimaltenango National Hospital, work is also being done on “the final phase with the objective of having the first fully technological hospital in Guatemala.”
He thanked the institutions that participated in the construction, such as Guatel, which installed the telephone plants and 200 internet points to support the key communication operations of a large hospital.
He stressed that the modern hospital in Chimaltenango, one of the largest in Central America, and represents “the first steps for the transformation of the Guatemalan health system, not only in the hospital area but also in the health centers and posts.”
In this regard, he reported that this year 171 health centers and posts will be opened in various parts of the country, “to continue expanding coverage to serve the populations” most in need.
“Rest assured that this government (of Guatemala) will continue to raise its voice so that nations see China-Taiwan as a Republic with the full right to be present in all international organizations.” “I have always said it. For me there is only one China, and it is called Taiwan,” President Giammattei emphasized.
Hospital de Chimaltenango to provide care in 15 medical specialties.
The National Hospital of Chimaltenango in Guatemala will now operate with over 25 clinics and 15 medical specialties. The hospital will serve the departments of Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, Quiché, Sololá and Guatemala informed the authorities during the opening protocol event.
The project was developed with the support of China – Taiwan, and was financed with an estimated US$22 million. Ambassador Li-Jey Tsao, detailed that the construction took 18 months to complete.
During the celebratory event, President Alejandro Giammattei expressed gratitude:
“There are days when emotions win, and to witness today the National Hospital of Chimaltenango in operation fills me with satisfaction, because thanks to the cooperation of the Republic of China (Taiwan), thousands of Guatemalans will have access to quality public health.”
Hay días en los que la emoción nos gana, y ver hoy el Hospital Nacional de Chimaltenango en funcionamiento me llena de satisfacción, porque gracias a la cooperación de la República de China (Taiwán) miles de guatemaltecos tendrán acceso digno a salud pública de calidad. pic.twitter.com/d8SfOvQaHD
— Alejandro Giammattei (@DrGiammattei) February 21, 2023
The National Hospital of Chimaltenango will provide 24-hour care. The hospital counts with chiropractors and intensive units with various specialties and referral modules for different areas.
The hospital has a capacity of 340 beds with high-level equipment and technology, to respond to the health demands of the populations of Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, Quiché, Sololá and Guatemala.
Among the areas with which the hospital center counts are:
- General medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Gynecology
- Maternity
- Intensive and intermediate care for adults
- Traumatology
- Intensive and intermediate care for children
- Attention for newborns
Cooperation
The Republic of China (Taiwan)’s Ambassador to Guatemala Li-Jey Tsao visited the new hospital and described the event as “an important achievement of the cooperation between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of Guatemala.”
Officials from the National Hospital of Chimaltenango and the head and members of the Taiwanese Medical Mission were also present on the tour.
A press release by the embassy indicated that the building was built in a record time of 18 months. The mega project has created jobs for more than 650 families both in Chimaltenango and neighboring departments and financial income to suppliers of local construction materials, because another of the outstanding features of this project is that it uses local materials such as red tiles, produced in the Municipality of El Tejar, indicated the embassy.
The project counts with a sustainable model, taking into account the good climate of Chimaltenango, natural light and implementing practices to avoid the generation of contaminating waste. It was designed to be environmentally friendly and contribute to the well-being of Guatemalans.
“The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), in collaboration with the Government of Guatemala, is pleased to be able to offer this type of project to benefit and guarantee the right of access to health for the entire Guatemalan population,” declared the embassy.
Taiwanese Medical Mission
At the start of February, the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Li-Jey Tsao offered a cordial welcome to the Taiwanese “Misión Médica” delegation, led by Dr. Shih Kuan, Ai-Li, World President of the International Executive Council of the “International College of Surgeons (ICS),” made up of 22 members and collaborators of various nationalities, who arrived in Guatemala to collaborate.
Following the warm welcome from Ambassador Tsao, a brief presentation detailed the current status of health cooperation projects with Guatemala, while urging the Taiwanese mission to plan future health projects between Taiwan and Guatemala. From the 1st to 3rd of February, the Mission carried out free surgical days at the National Hospital of Chimaltenango and the Regional Hospital of the West in Quetzaltenango.
Dr. Soledad Quartucci | Founder
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