Rio Grande do Norte seeks court order to resume Walfredo Gurgel Burn Center renovations

The Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN) and the State Public Defender's Office filed a public civil action demanding that the state restart the stalled renovation of the Centro de Tratamento de Queimados (CTQ) inside the Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital. The CTQ is the only high‑complexity public burn unit in the state, serving patients from all municipalities.

Work began in June 2024 with a three‑month deadline, but the first contractor abandoned the project in August 2025 and a second emergency contract signed in December 2025 achieved only 2.33% physical progress after 150 days before being terminated. The lawsuit asks the court to order the state to resume the works within 30 days, present a physical‑financial schedule within 90 days, and complete the renovation within 120 days, including re‑equipping the unit with 20 beds and hiring necessary staff.

Technical inspections reported that the CTQ’s capacity fell from 22 to 12 beds, several specialized rooms were closed, and patients were being treated in improvised areas with exposed debris, leaks and inadequate climate control. Chronic staff shortages were also documented. Federal funding for the project has already been secured, eliminating budget shortfall as a justification for the delay.