Government to build MOP537 mln dormitory for medical professionals

Macau authorities have decided to spend MOP537 million (US$66.6 million) on constructing a dormitory building for medical professionals to work at the new hospital under construction in Cotai.

Talking to media on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U said that the residential complex, which was originally designed to provide 230 flats, will now be made up of 340 units.

In other words, each unit is likely to cost the government over MOP1.58 million.

However, the official said that the government had yet to decide whether tenants – mainly senior doctors hired from the Chinese mainland – will be required to pay rent.

“In our initial plan, we did not expect to bring in lots of doctors from outside Macau for the Islands Hospital,” said Ao Ieong. “The over 250 rooms at the hospital only serve for emergency situations such as pandemics and typhoons.”

Ao Ieong stressed that it would be more costly for the government to arrange housing for incoming professionals outside the planned location, as the government would have to cover the rent for such accommodation itself.

According to a previous government plan, the Islands Healthcare Complex will begin its operations in stages under the supervision of Peking Union Medical College Hospital later this year.

The complex is expected to require 500 workers initially, with 50 of them in managerial roles from the prestigious establishment in the country’s capital.