21 bids ranging in millions of euros have been submitted by companies interested in supplying Malta with ready-made, prefabricated hospitals, the Ministry of Health revealed.

These bids range from €4 million at the lowest end, all the way up to €29 million for a “modular” hospital. The call for the hospital was made last Monday by the Foundation for Medical Services as Malta’s health resources are stretched due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The companies must supply a hospital that comes with 60 ventilator-equipped beds, as well as a host of criteria including a triage area, six intensive care units, an X-ray room, a mortuary room and a pharmacy.

The cheapest bid that ticks all of the government’s criteria will be rewarded with the job.

The Health Ministry noted that though it had receieved 21 offers, only 14 were valid; a number of the bids were handed in late, while others didn’t include the necessary estimates and details.

Whichever company gets the tender must have the hospital up and running within eight weeks, or facing a daily fine of €50,000 for each day it’s late.

What do you think of these bids?