Premier Fico: Presov Hospital Construction Continues; 38 Columns Removed

Presov, 28 July (TASR) - The construction of the new military hospital in Presov is proceeding according to schedule,stated Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in Presov on Tuesday, adding that although technical problems have slowed the work down by around eight weeks, the resulting delay won't affect the planned deadlines. The premier added that all technical issues at the construction site have now been resolved. A total of 38 columns have been completely removed and rebuilt, with the problem arising from the incorrect processing of the concrete. "It involved approximately 130 cubic metres of concrete that needed to be replaced, and this has now been done. That was the main problem, which set us back by eight weeks," said Fico during a visit to the construction site. The repair work is due to be definitively completed by 31 July. Around 250 people are working on the site every day, seven days a week. Marian Krizko, director of the military hospital in Ruzomberok (Zilina region), which is overseeing the project, explained that 38 columns have been removed and others repaired. The builders cut the removed columns at the level of the reinforcement bars and subsequently rebuilt them. It was possible to repair the others on site without the need for demolition. The hospital doesn't yet have the full expert report. "The preliminary report has been supplemented with key core samples. This means that we now know that, of the columns that underwent core sampling, more than 54 percent didn't meet the quality standards required by the project documentation," said Krizko, adding that, from a structural and safety perspective, this isn't a problem but a matter of non-compliance with the project. According to him, the strength of the concrete decreased by one to two strength classes from the core of the columns towards their surface. He added that the concrete was supplied to the site with the quality specified by the project. "This situation arose due to incorrect technical procedures for placing the concrete," stated Krizko. Work on the building's cladding is due to begin in January 2027. The hospital's structural work is due to be completed during 2027, after which interior work and the installation of technical systems will continue. According to the premier, it will then take a further 12 months or so, including a trial run, before the hospital becomes fully operational. The Defence Ministry is funding the construction from its own budget. The construction of the military hospital in Presov began at the turn of 2025 and 2026. Since then, part of the building has been completed. Construction was temporarily suspended in the spring following a quality inspection of the load-bearing elements of the structure. The problem reportedly concerned certain columns. As a result of this situation, the contract with the contractor was terminated. The contractor described the termination as unlawful, unjustified and premature and said that the columns and the strength of the concrete complied with the design documentation. The Defence Ministry, through the SNP Central Military Hospital in Ruzomberok, subsequently entered into a contract for the work with a new contractor that has taken over the construction project. The ministry launched a public tender for the second phase of the work. The police are conducting a criminal investigation into the construction work in connection with the offence of endangering public safety. am/df