Istanbul: The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group has unveiled plans to provide a total of £700 million in financing aimed at fostering transformative projects in Trkiye. The initiative is set to enhance disaster-resilient health care services and aid the recovery of municipalities affected by the devastating February 2023 earthquakes.
According to Anadolu Agency, the bank has earmarked £500 million for the Disaster-Resilient Health Infrastructure Project, which will focus on the reconstruction of two vital hospitals in Istanbul. This investment is intended to ensure the hospitals' ability to withstand earthquakes while maintaining uninterrupted health care services. The project aims to accommodate Istanbul's growing need for sustainable health care by adding nearly 2,500 hospital beds to meet the rising demand for accessible, high-quality, and resilient medical services.
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet (FSM) Training and Research Hospital in Atasehir is set to experience significant growth, with its capacity increasing from 310 to 1,584 beds. Outpatient visits are projected to surge from 1 million to 2.6 million annually, while emergency patient visits are expected to climb from 250,000 to 800,000. The hospital's surgical capacity is also anticipated to triple. The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) will co-finance the ISMEP initiative, focusing on merging and expanding the Haydarpasa Numune and Dr. Siyami Ersek hospitals. Meanwhile, the Turkish government will supply medical equipment, technology, and staffing to support the project.
In addition to the health care initiatives, an extra £200 million has been sanctioned for the Municipal Infrastructure for Recovery and Resilience Project, addressing the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquakes. This funding will bolster sustainable infrastructure in water, wastewater, and solid waste management, as well as urban transportation, in both affected and other municipalities.
The project underscores "build back better" principles, aiming to establish resilient and sustainable urban environments. It encompasses technical studies, construction, and equipment procurement, ultimately benefiting millions of residents through enhanced infrastructure and services.