The Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital 'Prim.Dr. Martin Horvat' in Rovinj has renovated the adjoining beach intended for their patients and other citizens with physical disabilities, reports Glas Istre on June 13, 2017.
The workers are currently putting the finishing touches on what's considered the first beach for medical therapy in Croatia, accessible even to the most severely disabled users. It's not a new location and has been part of the hospital facilities for multiple decades, but the renovation project will provide the place with new, modern equipment, making it easier and more comfortable for handicapped visitors to use the beach. Physical therapy treatments and exercise programmes will continue to take place at the pleasant outdoor location. The opening ceremony is planned for June 21.
Hospital director Marinko Rade M.D. called the project a breakthrough in medical tourism. "Around two million kuna were invested in the beach, the safest one [for patients] on the Adriatic. The project was submitted to the Ministry of Tourism in order to get financing from the Fund for Tourism Development, resulting in a sum of 800.000 kuna. The rest was provided by the Istria County", said Rade.
He added that the Ministry of Tourism opened the door for new developments in medical tourism by investing in a public health institution. The hospital and Rovinj in general were already known as a safe destination that could accommodate people with severe physical disabilities and their families, and with this project, they've ensured a prestigious position in the medical tourism segment.
The hospital has seen business growth for three years in a row, ending 2016 with a profit of HRK 1.6 million. They have recently renovated the department for physical therapy, the polyclinic and the reception office. The renovated beach is the latest addition to the high quality facilities, and being well-equipped and accessible to those who previously weren't able to enjoy a day at sea, it will surely attract a number of new patients and visitors.
Image source: Prim. dr. Martin Horvat, Tv Istra
