Rebuilding Ukraine: Hospital renovated under EIB loan programme opens in Odesa

Odesa City Clinical Hospital No. 8, which was renovated under the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme, has been opened in Odesa. The programme was launched as part of a financial agreement between Ukraine and the European Investment Bank and is being implemented by the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

The renovated hospital will have the capacity to serve nearly 400 visitors per day, which is a third more than before the renovation.

“Despite the war and daily attacks, together with our international partners we’re building a new Ukraine – one that is modern and inclusive. It’s important that the civilized world and progressive financial institutions are united by this idea. I’m grateful to the EU and its bank, the EIB, for their support. This is excellent work within the framework of the ‘We Build Ukraine,’ initiative, which unites international partners around the recovery of Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine.

The renovation of the hospital started in July 2020. Approximately EUR 1 million was allocated to the project, with the EIB providing more than half. The remainder was provided by the local authorities.

“We are investing in local infrastructure for a better future for every citizen because we believe in the power of human potential and the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people,” said Jean-Erik de Zagon, Head of the Resident Representation of the EIB to Ukraine.

The following works were carried out as part of the renovation:

• strengthening the building’s foundations and reconstructing the roof;
• replacing windows and doors, and installing facades and pedestal thermal insulation
• improving the water, lighting, and power supply networks, and the sewerage system;
• repairing floors and ceilings;
• improving access for people with disabilities and installing fire escapes.

The renovation of the hospital is a joint initiative of the Government of Ukraine, the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Odesa City Council, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.

The Ukraine Early Recovery Programme (UERP) is a EUR 200 million multi-sectoral framework loan from the EIB. The programme empowers local authorities to renovate social infrastructure and improve the living conditions of internally displaced persons and their host communities in nine regions of Ukraine. These are Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Odesa, Kherson and Kyiv regions.

The programme is being implemented by the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, the Ministry of Finance and local governments, with technical support from UNDP.