Council quits over lack of access to children’s hospital plans

Denied access to the construction brief, members of the Public Council for the planned National Children’s Hospital resigned, a council member said on air. Maria Brestnichka said the panel would not endorse the assignment without review and that legal advisers told members a confidentiality agreement could permit access while assigning individual responsibility. Another unresolved issue is a proposal to name an architect that has been pending for four months. Brestnichka warned that without a detailed plan, the project risks becoming an expensive, largely unused building by 2029 and said the council remains committed to the hospital.

During its work, the council urged consultations with existing pediatric clinics and frontline staff, but those discussions did not take place. Questions remain about staffing and financing; officials must clarify whether funding is secured and what legal registration the hospital will have. A review cited by the council found no clear budget source. Despite resigning, members said they are not abandoning the project and expect the Ministry of Health to resolve outstanding technical and financial matters.