The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering a PLN43 million (US$13.1 million) financing for the development of a general hospital in Zywiec, Poland, through a PPP project.

The total project investment is estimated at PLN194 million (US$59.2 million). Polish commercial banks will provide PLN57 million for the project.

The project was awarded to InterHealth Canada, a global healthcare management firm that specialises in the development and management of healthcare facilities and projects. It was established in 1994 for the purpose of exporting Canada's intellectual and management expertise in healthcare to the international market.

The project comprises the construction and operation of a general hospital. The proceeds of the EBRD's financing (along with shareholder funds) are to be used for the design, construction, equipment and commissioning of the Zywiec Hospital. Under the PPP contract.

The project will be developed on a design, build, equip and operate (DBFO) basis for a 30 years period.

The project is expected to be the first comprehensive integrated new built and operate healthcare PPP project in the CEE region, thus demonstrating the benefits of this new type of financing for the development and operation of healthcare facilities in the region. The project is also expected to demonstrate the efficiency and quality of hospital services provided by a private operator.

Poland has several projects in tender stage. In early June Poland's city Opole issued a tender process for the development of an underground parking facility. The next month Poland's municipality of Bobolice launched a contract notice for the development of a retirement home project and few days ago Krzywi?, a small town in Poland, has issued a tender process to develop a sewage treatment plant.