In Madeira, a Conversation About the Future of Children’s Healthcare

Since moving to Madeira in 2022, Saulius Fomenko has watched the new Hospital Central e Universitário da Madeira gradually take shape. On 17 September, he visited the construction site to learn more about the plans behind it.

The central part of the visit was a conversation with the hospital’s President about autism and healthcare for children with neurological conditions in Madeira. Saulius shared an idea he has considered for some time: a dedicated children’s hospital or a specialised department bringing together the expertise these children need.

The discussion was open and constructive. They agreed that this is an area worth working on together and to cooperate in developing the ideas further. It is a starting point for continued work centred on children and their families.

From inside, the scale of the project becomes clearer. Plans presented during the visit included laboratories, advanced surgical facilities, robotic technologies, 57 lifts and a patient navigation app to help people find their way to appointments. In its daily operation, the complex will resemble a small city.

The investment scale is illustrated by the third construction phase: the tender published on 16 July 2026 sets a base value of €415 million excluding VAT. This phase covers general infrastructure, finishing work and technical installations.

According to the timetable presented during the visit, operations are planned to begin in phases from 2028, with full operation targeted for 2031. These are the plans shared at the visit. For LukoLab, the next step is continued dialogue about connecting the future infrastructure with children’s specific healthcare needs.