The Pálava Sanatorium represents an important milestone in developing healthcare infrastructure in the Region. It will provide neurology, neurosurgery, traumatology and orthopaedics patients recovering from serious and critical conditions with much needed follow-up medical and rehabilitation care.

“This is the largest healthcare project in the South Moravian Region, which has been in the pipeline for many years. There is currently no similar rehabilitation facility for traumatic conditions and serious injuries in Moravia. The unique Pálava Sanatorium, together with the facilities in Kladruby and Hrabyně, which are at full capacity, will become part of the network of specialised rehabilitation centres in the Czech Republic,” said Jan Grolich, Governor of the South Moravian Region. “We would like to start the trial operation of the sanatorium in January 2026,” Grolich added.

“The Pálava Sanatorium is one of the largest investments in infrastructure and quality of life in the South Moravian Region in many years. The costs of the project total around CZK 784 million. Of this, CZK 289 million will come from EU funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which our government has amended to enable financial support of projects that are of real benefit to people. In addition to the development of the spa resort, there are plans for the construction of residential projects as well as other investments, which will substantially transform the area surrounding Pasohlávky. This is indeed an important and beneficial project for the development of the entire region,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

“This rehabilitation facility will help further develop the network of aftercare providers. The local natural hot springs with curative sulphur thermal water will be a unique addition that will enhance the uniqueness of this project. Their health benefits for prospective patients will be indisputable. These sulphur waters, so typical for South Moravia, have a beneficial effect on the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. There is still no such facility in the region, and I am glad that we will change this together,” added Health Minister Vlastimil Válek.

“The Pálava Sanatorium will provide rehabilitation aftercare directly following acute care at the Brno University Hospital, regional hospitals and acute neurorehabilitation care. We have also considered the need for qualified specialist staff. This is why we have supported the opening of a special two-year course in neurorehabilitation at the Medical Faculty of Masaryk University, which welcomed the first students in January 2024,” said Karel Podzimek, the Regional Health Councillor.

The Pálava Sanatorium project is co-financed by the European Union from the Recovery and Resilience Facility through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Czech Republic.

“The tender price for the construction of the Pálava Sanatorium is CZK 200 million below the estimated costs, which is a success for us. We are also pleased that the South Moravian Region has managed to secure a grant from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. This will help us save a further CZK 289 million, which is one third of the total costs,” said Jan Zámečník, Vice Governor of the South Moravian Region, commenting on the financing of the construction works: “My thanks go to all the previous Regional Councils for their contribution to this unique project over the past 16 years.”

“Our country’s priority is the health and resilience of its population. Health and Resilience is also the name of the sixth pillar of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which includes a total of almost CZK 12.5 billion specifically earmarked for investments and reforms in the health sector. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan is a strategy for a modern Czech Republic, and the issue of health and resilience is a key part of that strategy. The Pálava Sanatorium will be a unique facility in the Czech Republic. For patients recovering from serious and critical conditions, the creation of this sanatorium is essential, as it will help them return to normal life as quickly as possible,” said Marian Piecha, Senior Director of the EU Funds Section at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Pálava Sanatorium will have a capacity of 214 beds and 80 treatment and rehabilitation rooms, including 4 rooms for patients with disabilities. There will be 28 spa rooms for self-payers, including 2 suites and 2 rooms for disabled clients. The two underground floors will house the treatment rooms – swimming pools and balneotherapy, as well as changing rooms, storage areas, cafeteria kitchens and technical facilities. On the ground floor there will be examination rooms and an outpatient clinic, rehabilitation services, massage, gymnasiums, reception, cafeteria, and dining rooms. The other three floors of the sanatorium will house inpatient wards, meeting rooms, offices, and a chapel.

“The construction contractor started preparing the site last December, and excavation works began in mid-January. With the excavated soil now removed, the boring of foundation piles is now underway and the project design documentation is being prepared, as this investment project uses the Design & Build approach. About 30% of the execution design is ready and we expect it to be completed in the summer,” said Vladimír Šmerda, the Regional Investment Councillor.

“The Design & Build approach allows us to carry out the construction works at the same time as the design works. We are currently working on the foundation of the building, which involves boring a total of 75 piles with diameters ranging from 60 to 90 cm and a maximum depth of 24 metres. By mid-2024, we will have completed the foundation slab, the walls and slabs of the 2nd underground floor, the foundation slab and part of the walls of the 1st underground floor,” said Zdeněk Pokorný, Chairman of the Board of VCES, commenting on the construction schedule. “Together with our consortium partner, SPIE Stangl Technik, we are preparing a BIM model of the building, which will be completed in November this year. Thanks to photovoltaic panels on the roof, water-air heat pumps and a cogeneration, the new sanatorium will also meet the requirements for sustainable operation,” Pokorný added.

The Pálava Sanatorium will be operated and maintained by the Jihomoravská zdravotní, which is a service organization for hospitals of the South Moravian Region. “We are in the process of coordinating the details with the construction contractor to meet the needs of both patients and staff in a modern healthcare facility. In addition, we are working on the staff recruitment, as more than 150 people will be working here. Our focus is also on the purchase of all necessary equipment for the facility and, of course, on the start of full operation of the sanatorium,” concludes Martin Pavlík, Chairman of the Board of Jihomoravská zdravotní.