The Minister of Health, Youth, Sports, and Community Life, Roselyne Bachelot, inaugurated the new technical platform at the Antibes Juan-les-Pins hospital center. On Monday, in the presence of Jean Léonetti, deputy mayor of Antibes, Dominique Vian, prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, and Jean-Noël Jacques, director of the hospital center, she toured the new premises and equipment of the hospital. Mrs. Bachelot was thus able to see for herself the modernization of the site. “It is a joy to be here with you to share this moment,” the minister stated. For her, this modernization is a “strong signal for the public hospital center” and that it is important to “continue its restructuring.”
Indeed, the project is not yet complete. It also plans for the construction of a mother-child unit, including day hospital units in oncology and hosting specialized surgeries. Confirmed by the minister, this project is expected to reach 12.4 million euros in cost. “I am pleased to grant you financial aid from the ministry of 5 million euros,” announced Roselyne Bachelot to thunderous applause. The minister’s main objective is to “develop the public hospital by reforming it.” She indeed reminded that “France has the highest hospital expenses in the world, amounting to 50 billion euros.” This is why she wants to “learn from past mistakes” by helping “hospitals return to budgetary balance.”
### A Gold Medal for Roselyne Bachelot
Initiated in 1997 with the opening of the maternity ward, the modernization project strengthens the public healthcare offer on the Côte d’Azur, improves working conditions, and increases capacities for the services involved. The installation of the new scanner and MRI marks a new step in the restructuration process. The total cost of the investment that has been completed amounts to 17 million euros. Nevertheless, part of the cost overruns is covered under the Contract of Objectives and Means, signed with the Regional Hospitalization Agency in 2003.
“Today, we may be inaugurating walls, but I am also thinking of the medical staff. I want to tell you that your minister has full confidence in you,” declared Roselyne Bachelot. The minister has set two objectives in the coming years: “to position ourselves in a system of cooperation and information to improve the quality of care, techniques and address shortages.” In the meantime, the commitments made, the minister has already received her gold medal from the hand of the deputy mayor of Antibes, Jean Léonetti, to “express their thanks.”
