Mayor Leo Bezerra launches construction of João Pessoa municipal maternity hospital

Mayor Leo Bezerra of João Pessoa inaugurated the construction of a new municipal maternity hospital on Monday, March 3. The facility, located in the Bancários neighbourhood, will occupy about 22,245 m² across three blocks and include 150 beds, expandable to 180, two surgical centers with more than ten operating rooms, an imaging centre, a humanized birth centre, a human milk bank and a dedicated emergency obstetrics and gynaecology unit.

The project is funded with a R$ 153 million investment in partnership with the federal Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento (PAC). Health Secretary Luis Ferreira said the design prioritises patient flow, safety and operational efficiency. The new hospital is intended to relieve the existing Cândida Vargas hospital and provide integrated, human‑centred care. The mayor said, “Esta maternidade foi concebida sob a premissa do acolhimento e da humanização.” The construction timeline is estimated at 24–36 months, with officials hoping to complete it in 24 months.

The initiative aims to improve maternal and newborn health services for women, pregnant people and newborns throughout João Pessoa.