Vandalism leaves protected Härmä hospital in severe disrepair

The former Härmä tuberculosis sanatorium in Kauhava has been badly damaged by vandalism, while its owner has not disclosed plans for the protected buildings, Yle reports.

Built in 1933, the hospital has broken windows and damaged interiors, with items thrown out through the windows. The property was put up for sale by the South Ostrobothnia Hospital District in 2020 and later sold to a company that has not operated there.

The building is currently owned by Päijät-Hämeen senioripalvelut Oy. Its owner is BDR-Kamppi Oy, a Helsinki-based company with a postal address in Nilsiä.

Yle called a number listed for BDR-Kamppi in the Suomen Asiakastieto company register and spoke with Mikko Nivamo. He said there were plans for the hospital but that he could not discuss them because he had been told not to. He did not say who had issued the instruction. Nivamo said there was no one else who could speak about the plans. Yle does not know what role he has in the company.

Kauhava city manager Vesa Rantala said the city has limited means to intervene. Building control can issue notices requiring action, but the city has few options if the owner does not comply. A former technical director tried to contact the owner by phone and email several years ago, but did not reach anyone.

The city does not know why Päijät-Hämeen senioripalvelut bought the property. About three years ago, Kauhava purchased the land surrounding it to ensure the parkland would be maintained and the forest would not be cut down.

Inside the buildings, floors, walls and ceilings have been stripped of anything that could be removed. Kauhava’s property and construction manager, Maria Annala, said copper and other valuable metals had been removed by the owner, while the remaining buildings had been left vulnerable to vandals.

The hospital complex is designated in the South Ostrobothnia regional plan as a significant built cultural environment, with its exterior protected. The plan identifies landscape, architectural and historical values that should be preserved. Susanna Hietamäki, a building researcher at Seinäjoki Museum, said she believes the buildings could still be restored, but the museum has no power to intervene.

Kauhava technical director Sami Tuomisto, who knew the hospital from a relative’s treatment there about 20 years ago, said its current condition came as a shock. The building is privately owned, limiting what the city can do.