The Ministry of Health has dismissed media reports suggesting challenges with the ongoing Weija Paediatric Hospital project, insisting that construction is progressing and has not been cancelled or suspended.
In a press release dated December 13, 2025, and signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Tony Goodman, the Ministry said it had “not made, nor caused to be made, any publication whatsoever regarding the said Hospital Project,” contrary to claims circulating in the media.
According to the Ministry, work on the facility by Awerco Construction Limited “is ongoing and continues without any form of interference from the Ministry.”
The Weija Paediatric Hospital is a World Bank–funded project being executed on a design-and-build basis between the Ministry of Health and Awerco Construction Limited.
The contract, the Ministry explained, also covers “the supply and installation of medical equipment.”
Clarifying the role of the World Bank, the Ministry stressed that the Bank “is not a party to either the Works or Equipment contract with the Contractor except for the funding of the project.”
The Ministry further rejected claims of any termination or suspension, stating clearly that it “has not issued any notices of termination, suspension, or cancellation to the Contractor,” and that it “has not cancelled the Weija Pediatric Hospital Project or any contract with Awerco Company Ltd.”
However, the Ministry disclosed that the World Bank had previously conducted a Post-Procurement Review (PPR) on a CT scanner procured for the project under the previous government. The review found that “the price was high,” adding that “all items purchased were three to 11 times the average or fair market price.”
As a result of those findings, the Ministry said the World Bank “redraw $3.8 million US Dollars which was used to procure these equipment.”
Despite this development, the Ministry maintained that the hospital project itself remains on course.
“The project is still a Ministry of Health facility nearing completion, with snagging ongoing and preparations underway for takeover and operation,” the statement said.
The Ministry added that it continues to engage both the contractor and the World Bank separately “in accordance with their respective contractual and funding roles.”
It also cautioned media organisations to verify information before publication, advising them “to cross check their facts from the official sources of the Ministry before publishing their stories.”
