The Dominican government will help private investors building the Santiago Metropolitan Hospital to finish the hospital. Construction had advanced 60% when the economic crisis of 2003 and 2004 slowed it to a halt. As reported in Hoy newspaper, the government reached the decision to contribute equipment and funds for the finishing of the hospital, in exchange for shares in the ownerships of the hospital. This will enable the hospital to also serve low-income persons in the Cibao area. Originally, the hospital was conceived as a private medical center. Construction of the hospital began in 2000. The joint effort will enable the hospital to be in operation next year. President Leonel Fernandez himself made the announcement after participating in a meeting at the Presidential Palace with Dr. Rafael Sanchez Espanol, president of the medical center, senator Jose Hazim Frappier, shareholder, Msgr Agripino Nunez Collado, rector of the PUCMM university. President Fernandez highlighted the participation of the PUCMM in the management of the hospital and the international connections of the center. The Santiago Metropolitan Hospital aspires to be one of the most advanced medical centers in the Caribbean and the first Dominican medical center to accept Medicare.