In a statement to the Lusa news agency, Miguel Lopes, chairman of the ULSAA board of directors, explained that the deal is in the "pre-signature" phase of the purchase and sale agreement with the Diocese of Portalegre-Castelo Branco, owner of the former Diocesan College of Santo António.

According to Lopes, the acquisition of the college, which occupies an area of approximately 3.5 hectares, will involve an investment of €2.5 million, with this amount being covered by the State Budget.

After the acquisition, renovation work, and construction of a new building on the site of the former college, Miguel Lopes hopes to develop the "Portalegre Health Campus" project, with an investment of 40 million euros.

Previously, according to the chairman of the ULSAA board of directors, a feasibility study is being conducted to "ensure" that the project has "an end in itself," benefiting the community and the efficiency of the services provided. An economic and financial feasibility study is also underway that "covers all stages," including the acquisition of the space and renovation.

In the first phase, the project to be developed in the former college will "prioritize" outpatient services.

Outpatient services, the entire ophthalmology unit, the cardiology unit, the pulmonology unit, and the physiotherapy service will be relocated from the Portalegre hospital.

The Portalegre Health Centre, the pulmonology diagnostic centre, the public health department, the public health laboratory, and other services located elsewhere in the city will also be concentrated on the Portalegre Health Campus.

"This first phase of the rehabilitation of the Santo António School will be a unique area dedicated exclusively to improving outpatient care for the community," he said.

While freeing up space at the Portalegre hospital, the ULSAA plans to rehabilitate these areas to expand the emergency department, the clinical analysis laboratory, the imaging service, and other departments.

"Broadly speaking, the goal is to centralize the entire infrastructure dedicated to healthcare, from public health to palliative care, in the current space of the Doutor José Maria Grande Hospital (Portalegre Hospital) and the school," he explained.

According to Miguel Lopes, "if everything goes as planned," the Portalegre Health Campus project should be completed in 2029.