"Key Hub for Rehabilitation Medical Care"... Groundbreaking for Jeonbuk's First Regional Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital

170-Bed Facility to Be Built on Jesus Hospital Site
Opening Planned for 2027

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Jeonbuk Regional Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital, which will serve as a key hub for rehabilitation medical care in the Jeonbuk region, has taken place. The new hospital is expected to establish a foundation that enables people with disabilities and rehabilitation patients to receive specialized rehabilitation treatment without having to travel to other regions.

Perspective view of the integrated rehabilitation hospital in the Jeonbuk area. Provided by Jeonju City

The construction project for the Jeonbuk Regional Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital, supported by the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, officially began on July 7 with a groundbreaking ceremony held at Jeonju Jesus Hospital.

Over 100 people attended the ceremony, including Lee Wontak, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, members of the Jeonbuk Provincial Assembly, the Mayor of Jeonju and city council members, officials from Jesus Hospital, and representatives from disability organizations, all wishing for the project’s successful implementation.

The integrated rehabilitation hospital project involves the establishment of both a regional rehabilitation hospital and a public children's rehabilitation medical center. Its main feature is the provision of connected rehabilitation treatments tailored to the life cycle, from children to adults, all in one place.

The hospital will be built on the site of the second parking lot of Jesus Hospital, with a total project cost of 76.4 billion won. It will consist of three underground and seven above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 17,103 square meters. The facility will include a 150-bed inpatient ward, a 20-bed day ward, and specialized outpatient rehabilitation facilities, with the goal of opening in 2027.

Although the proportion of people with disabilities in Jeonbuk is 7.4%, which is higher than the national average of 5.1%, the region is considered to have relatively insufficient specialized rehabilitation medical facilities. As a result, there have been ongoing cases of patients seeking rehabilitation treatment at medical institutions in the Seoul metropolitan area or other regions.

Once the integrated rehabilitation hospital opens, patients will be able to receive continuous medical services in the region, from acute care to recovery-phase rehabilitation. This is also expected to reduce both the medical and travel burdens on patients and their families.

In addition, by cooperating with local medical institutions to establish a regional rehabilitation medical delivery system, the hospital is expected to improve medical access for residents in need of rehabilitation, such as people with disabilities and the elderly, and to further strengthen public healthcare functions.

Lee Wontak, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "The Jeonbuk Regional Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital is a project that will create a foundation for all residents to receive uninterrupted rehabilitation medical services within the region," adding, "We will ensure the smooth progress of the project to improve healthcare access and further strengthen the regional rehabilitation medical system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.