The new specialist rehabilitation centre will significantly strengthen the network of specialised facilities in the Czech Republic and expand access to comprehensive post-acute rehabilitation care in South Moravia. It combines modern medicine and state-of-the-art technologies with the therapeutic benefits of the local sulphur-rich thermal spring.

Sanatorium Pálava will provide inpatient follow-up rehabilitation care for adults recovering from strokes, severe injuries, musculoskeletal surgery, neurosurgical procedures, and neurological conditions. It will focus on patients with spinal cord injuries, amputations, gait and balance disorders, and those recovering from prolonged hospitalisation. The facility will also include a specialised neurorehabilitation programme for patients with severe acquired brain injuries.

“Building a new healthcare facility from the ground up is not something that happens every day. It was a tremendous challenge that required the courage to take over a project already in progress, complete its preparation, secure co-financing, and see it through to today’s opening. Many people doubted it could be done. That is why I am especially pleased that we can now open Sanatorium Pálava and provide care that has long been lacking in South Moravia,” said Jan Grolich, Governor of the South Moravian Region.

“From the earliest designs through to handover of the completed building, we worked closely with the investor to find solutions that would ensure not only high-quality construction but also the long-term functionality of the entire facility. Together with our consortium partner, SPIE Stangl Technik s.r.o., and the South Moravian Region’s implementation team, we also succeeded in obtaining final occupancy approval nearly three quarters of a year earlier than anticipated in the original schedule,” explained Miloš Emmer, Commercial Director of VCES a.s.

The sanatorium will complement the network of established specialist rehabilitation centres in the Czech Republic, including the Kladruby Rehabilitation Institute, the Hrabyně Rehabilitation Institute, and the Hamza Specialist Rehabilitation Centre in Luže-Košumberk.

Treatment will be based on an individual rehabilitation plan developed by a multidisciplinary team comprising physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, registered nurses, psychologists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, social workers, and other healthcare specialists. More than 110 new employees in both clinical and non-clinical roles joined the sanatorium during June and July.

“For us, Sanatorium Pálava is far more than a new building. It is the result of the collective efforts of many people who shared a single goal from the very beginning: to create a place where patients receive the very best care possible. We are delighted that we will soon welcome our first patients and are confident that we can help them regain as much independence as possible and return to a good quality of life,” said Vladimíra Danihelková, Chairwoman of the Board of Jihomoravská zdravotní.

Construction of Sanatorium Pálava was carried out using the Design & Build procurement model and completed within two years. Total investment costs reached CZK 693 million excluding VAT. The Sanatorium Pálava project is co-funded by the European Union through the Recovery and Resilience Facility under the National Recovery Plan of the Czech Republic. The grant amounted to CZK 289 million.

“Supporting modern and accessible healthcare is one of the key objectives of the National Recovery Plan. Sanatorium Pálava is another tangible example of how European funding enables projects that deliver direct benefits for both patients and healthcare professionals, and how effective use of these resources truly makes a difference. I am pleased that funding from the National Recovery Plan has helped create a facility that will significantly expand rehabilitation care capacity, improve its quality, and benefit not only South Moravia but also patients from across the Czech Republic,” said Kateřina Grygarová, Director of the European Funds Department at the Ministry of Health.

“Securing a grant of CZK 289 million was absolutely crucial for the implementation of this project. We devoted considerable effort to its preparation because we knew South Moravia needed such a facility. The result is a modern rehabilitation institute that fills a missing link in our regional healthcare system. I would like to thank the Ministry of Health and everyone involved in preparing the project and securing its funding,” said Jan Zámečník, Deputy Governor of the South Moravian Region responsible for Strategic Development.

Treatment will be supported by the latest rehabilitation technologies. The facility is equipped with robotic systems for upper and lower limb rehabilitation, a robotic postural rehabilitation system, a robotic tilt table, an instrumented treadmill with gait analysis, biomechanical systems for assessing balance and stability, and technologies supporting early mobilisation.

“Building such a large and technologically advanced healthcare facility from scratch represented an exceptional investment challenge. Thanks to the Design & Build approach, it was possible to integrate the design and construction phases and complete the entire complex within two years. The result is not only a modern building but, above all, a fully functional healthcare facility equipped with some of the most advanced technologies currently available in rehabilitation medicine. Constructing and obtaining regulatory approval for such a facility was an unprecedented undertaking, made possible above all by the dedication of our colleagues in the Regional Investment Department, to whom I extend my sincere thanks,” added David Grund, Member of the South Moravian Regional Council responsible for Investments.

One of the sanatorium’s principal advantages will be the combination of modern medicine with a natural therapeutic resource. The local sulphur-rich thermal spring will be used in balneotherapy as part of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment. The campus also features a therapeutic park with outdoor rehabilitation elements that support physical therapy and recovery.

Operations will be launched gradually. During the first phase, two inpatient wards with a total capacity of 80 beds will be opened. Once fully operational, the facility will offer 160 beds, including 130 standard rehabilitation beds and 30 beds dedicated to the specialised neurorehabilitation programme for patients with severe acquired brain injuries.