The new Hospital Nacional Rosales in San Salvador was officially inaugurated by President Nayib Bukele on the seventh anniversary of his government. Instead of a traditional speech, the president broadcast a live televised tour of the facility, accompanied by hospital director Dr. Marvin Aguilar and various medical specialists who explained every detail of the equipment, services, and innovations.
Two Buildings, One Connected Campus
The hospital complex consists of two parts:
- New building: A modern, four-story structure with two basement levels, built on the opposite side of Avenida 25.
- Restored historic building: The original Rosales Hospital, which had suffered decades of deterioration, was fully restored and modernized.
The two buildings are separated by the street but connected by an elevated walkway, allowing seamless integration of services.
An important point to highlight is that during the hospital’s inauguration, it was mentioned that only selected areas of the facility would be shown. Although the entire hospital was inaugurated, only about 10% of it was presented during the broadcast, as showcasing the whole complex would have made the program excessively long.
World-Class Equipment
During the tour, specialists highlighted technology rarely found in public hospitals anywhere in the world:
🔬 The Unique Surgical Microscope
In a neurosurgery and cardiovascular operating room, a doctor explained that the surgical microscope installed there is so advanced that only three exist in the entire American continent – two in the United States and this one in El Salvador. It enables extremely precise procedures on the brain, spine, and heart.
🩸 Angiography Unit (Hemodynamics)
Dr. Wendy Amaya presented the hospital’s advanced hemodynamics angiograph, which she described as the only one of its kind in all of Central America. It allows high-definition diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions in the same machine.
🧠 Hybrid Operating Room
The microscope is housed inside a hybrid operating room that integrates:
- A CT scanner
- A 3-Tesla MRI
- An advanced angiograph
This allows surgeons to diagnose and operate simultaneously, without moving the patient.
🤖 Robotic Surgery
The hospital has two surgical robots for:
- General surgery
- Orthopedics
- Joint replacements (hip, knee, spine)
Other Innovative Services
- Bone marrow transplant – the first public service of its kind in El Salvador, previously unavailable in the country.
- DX-10 liver support system – the first in El Salvador, used for liver failure.
- Hemodialysis – 140 to 150 machines, providing 420 treatments per day.
- Laboratory – capacity of 2,600 tests per hour, serving up to 2,000 patients daily.
- Chemotherapy – 48 chairs.
- 47 medical specialties available.
Capacity
| Area | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Inpatient beds | 502 |
| ICU (Intensive Care Unit) | 61 spaces |
| Scheduled operating rooms | 9 |
| Emergency operating rooms | 7 |
| Observation ward | 48 patients |
| Chemotherapy chairs | 48 |
Staff
A total of 3,200 people were hired:
- 3,000 Salvadorans
- 200 foreign specialists – experts who came to train local medical staff and treat patients.
Free for All Patients
President Bukele repeatedly emphasized during the tour:
“This is a completely free hospital for the people. Any Salvadoran can come here.”
Every service – including robotic surgery, bone marrow transplants, and advanced imaging – is provided at no cost to patients.
Sustainability
The new hospital was built with sustainability in mind:
- Solar panels
- Energy-saving systems
- Natural lighting
- Water treatment and conservation
It holds international certifications including ISO and EDGE, making it a resilient and eco-friendly hospital.
Why This Matters for International Audiences
For those unfamiliar with El Salvador, this project represents a major leap in public healthcare. A small Central American nation has invested in a public, free-to-use hospital that rivals top-tier medical centers in developed countries.
The combination of advanced technology – including a microscope that only exists in two other places in the Americas – and a commitment to universal access shows a new standard for public health infrastructure in the region.
All information based on the official inauguration tour on June 1, 2026, as broadcast by the Government of El Salvador
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