A new healthcare facility in line with contemporary standards will be built at the site of the existing Institute for Respiratory Diseases in Children in Skopje settlement Kozle.

The investment worth EUR 8 million is to be completed in two years.

"The idea is for the institute to not only focus on respiratory diseases, but gradually grow into a secondary healthcare children's hospital, taking into account the increasing number of Skopje residents", said Health Minister Nikola Todorov, who attended the start of construction works alongside Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

During the works, the first aid unit will be transferred to a nearby facility, whereas all Institute patients will be transferred to the Children's Clinic.

"The transfer plan has been developed, so that the volume of operations does not reduce", added Todorov.

The existing premises were built in 1965, initially perceived as an interim facility.