A pile foundation has been completed for Hengqin Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, which is to open in 2025 for medical treatment, healthcare, scientific research, and teaching.

The deep pile supports for the eco-friendly facility are currently being inspected so that construction of the basement and major structure can commence soon and be completed by the end of 2023. Ground was broken in September 2020 for the hospital nearby the under-construction Hengqin Zhihe International Life Science Center.

The Grade-III Class-A public hospital will be equipped with 500 beds, a "smart" logistics system, and robots to transport medical supplies between departments, pharmacies, and nurse stations.

Located in the central area of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, the facility is west of Macao New Neighborhood project and east of Novotown. It is bordered by Caihong Road and Hengqin and South Boya avenues.

Construction site [Photo by Zeng Yao / Zhuhai Daily]

The hospital itself is on a plot of 50,000 sqm (12 acres) with building floor area of 60,000 sqm (15 acres) limited to 40 percent of the land. Green space must account for at least 35 percent, according to Shi Hui, project director of Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Property. The total investment is about 2.7 billion yuan ($418,000).

China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp has adopted such advanced technologies as 3D modeling, virtual and prefabricated construction, reclaimed water reuse and big data systems, "smart" pay-off, and virtual simulation.

Once operational, the medical center will provide first aid and standard medical care to Hengqin and Macao residents while responding to public health emergencies and major public health demands.

The adjacent Hengqin Zhihe International Life Science Center is being developed on 132,557 sqm (33 acres) of land and encompasses five specialized hospitals, an anti-aging center, international academic exchange center, vacation health management center, healthcare club, and international healthcare community. It is expected to cost 4.5 billion yuan ($69.4 million).