During recent debates over Monaco’s 2025 preliminary budget, concerns were raised about the lack of clarity surrounding the operating costs of the new Princess Grace Hospital (NCHPG). National Council President Thomas Brezzo criticised the absence of an operating budget, highlighting the urgency of obtaining detailed projections for such a significant public investment.

As reported by Monaco Hebdo, the issue resurfaced on December 16, when Brezzo pressed Christophe Robino, Monaco’s Minister-Counsellor for Social Affairs and Health, for answers. Robino acknowledged that financial teams are working on projections to assess the costs of running both the existing hospital and the new facility during the transitional phase. He explained that operating the two facilities simultaneously would necessitate additional staffing and resources, leading to higher expenses.

Robino pointed out that the NCHPG’s advanced computerisation and home automation systems would significantly increase energy consumption, further impacting costs. He projected that the hospital’s budgetary implications would become clearer by 2027, the anticipated year of full operation. However, Brezzo expressed frustration, noting that nearly a decade after the project’s approval, and just a year before Phase 1 of the new hospital’s launch, the lack of an operating cost estimate remains “regrettable.”

The financial uncertainty extends beyond the hospital. Franck Julien, President of the National Council’s Finance and National Economy Committee, stressed the importance of understanding operating costs for all major public investments, citing the waste sorting and recovery centre as another example. Julien warned that without proper foresight, Monaco risks being burdened by uncontrollable budgets.

Robino agreed with the concerns, emphasising the challenge of projecting costs for a facility designed to evolve with advancing technologies. He reassured council members that efforts are underway to develop accurate financial forecasts and promised to share reliable projections as soon as they become available.

As Monaco continues to navigate the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects, calls for greater fiscal discipline and transparency remain a priority for the National Council.

Image courtesy of the National Council: Christophe Robino