Prime Minister Golob: "Health remains the Government's first priority; the accelerated investment cycle is underway"

SLOVENIA, October 3 - The completed project will improve hospital capacity in the field of cancer control, increase the proportion of cancer treatment with radiation and early detection tests, and above all increase access to oncology services in Maribor UMC and north-eastern Slovenia – it represents a decentralisation of medical care in Slovenia in the field of oncology.

The first phase of the renovation of the oncology ward, which includes the reconstruction and expansion of the existing building, is progressing as planned. The Minister of Health thanked both patients and health professionals, who showed great understanding, for their patience: "I would like to thank all the staff for their dedication and good work and the patients for their patience. I am pleased to report that funding for the projects is secured and investments are being actively implemented. The building permit for the oncology ward was obtained last week and construction started already on Monday. I believe that the project will continue successfully. We have also taken certain measures to speed up construction to compensate for the time lost due to a complaint from the owners of the neighbouring building."

After the visit, Prime Minister Robert Golob reiterated that health care is the first priority of the Government: "In addition to the systemic measures, to which we are devoting a great deal of attention, an accelerated investment cycle is currently underway across Slovenia, not only in the two UMCs, but also in other hospitals and health centres," the Prime Minister said. He explained that today's visit was a follow-up to a meeting he had a fortnight ago in his office. "I am pleased that the agreements are being implemented and that the investments can be carried out according to the planned timetables," he said.

The contractor for the second phase of the oncology ward expansion, i.e. the construction of the new connecting tower, received the building permit last week, and the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for the Monitoring, Quality and Investments in Healthcare (UNKIZ) sent the contractor to work as soon as the building permit was final. The construction is expected to be completed in June or July 2026.

The project "Expansion of oncology activities at Maribor UMC" also includes the purchase of equipment, medical equipment and expensive medical equipment, including two new linear accelerators, which will be located in the new Stolpič building when it is completed. When the expansion project is completed, Maribor UMC will own four linear accelerators.

This year, the Ministry of Health has provided EUR 3.5 million for the purchase of a linear accelerator at Maribor UMC, with the second one planned for next year. Subsequently, public health institutions will set their own priorities for the purchase of expensive medical equipment, meaning that the execution of tender and purchase will also be their responsibility. The Government will shortly consider the documents for the purchase of the irradiators, which will allow Maribor UMC to proceed with the tendering procedures for the devices.

Prime Minister Golob said that three important topics were discussed at today's meeting: oncology, the purchase of irradiators and the infectious diseases clinic. He paid tribute to the medical staff in the oncology ward: "Coming to the oncology ward, one can see the total commitment and dedication and mission of all the staff to actually help their fellow man. And for that, a big thank you and recognition to all! I must add that the answer to the question of whether we want and need to expand the oncology ward is: Yes! Especially because we have such dedicated staff who will be able to actually use these premises for the noblest purpose, which is to help cancer patients."

Prime Minister Golob concluded his statement with encouraging words: "I believe that, together with the leadership at Maribor UMC, we will be able to take important steps forward so that people can continue to receive quality healthcare."

One of the main challenges of the project, which has stalled the construction of the tower, is the apartments on Masarykova Street, which are part of the wider story of the Maribor UMC expansion. Funding for the purchase of the apartments has been secured, even though the building is not part of the land on which the oncology ward expansion is being built and even though the purchase of the apartments was not part of the original oncology ward expansion project.

In addition to the expansion of the oncology ward, the visit also touched upon the project to build an infectious diseases and febrile conditions ward. The new building of this ward will be a key health facility in north-eastern Slovenia, enabling infectious diseases to be managed at the highest level. It is designed according to modern guidelines for healthcare facilities, including best practices from both home and abroad. This new health facility will also provide optimal conditions for the control of major outbreaks of infectious diseases and comprehensive patient care, without additional negative impacts on other parts of Maribor UMC.