The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that it would offer 8.5 billion won ($7.8 million) in support for building a hospital specializing in rehabilitation treatment for children with disabilities, the first of its kind in the capital city.
The 8.5 billion won would be used to build the hospital ― which is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in 2016 ― and purchase necessary medical equipment, the SMG said.
According to the city government, there were about 13,272 children and teenagers with disabilities residing in Seoul as of last December.
It is estimated that 623 beds are needed for disabled children in need of rehabilitation, but there are currently only 210 beds available across the city.
The hospital will be in a seven-story building with a three-level basement, equipped with a swimming pool, rehabilitation facilities and a total of 90 beds.
“We expect to offer better medical services for children with disabilities in Seoul with the establishment of this hospital,” said Mayor Park Won-soon in a statement.
The hospital, which is a 46.6 billion won project, is jointly funded by the SMG, Seoul’s Mapo district office and the Purme Foundation ― a nonprofit organization dedicated to disability issues.
The Mapo district office offered 9.3 billion won to purchase the land for the institution in Mapo’s Sangam-dong, while the Purme Foundation gave 27.3 billion won for the cost of its construction.
