Slovak spa pitches rehabilitation partnership to Iceland

A Slovak spa has proposed cooperation with Iceland in rehabilitation services and training, but no agreement has been reached, mbl.is reported. Zuzana Ďurinová, chief executive and co-owner of Modern Spa Turčianske Teplice, said she presented possible areas of collaboration to Icelandic Health Minister Alma Möller during a visit by Icelandic healthcare professionals.

Ďurinová said the spa wanted to introduce its rehabilitation and treatment methods, healthcare services and technology, as well as the therapeutic properties of its mineral-rich geothermal water. She sees potential for cooperation in education and the provision of rehabilitation care, including for people from Iceland.

Icelanders can already book treatment or wellness stays as self-paying customers, she said. The spa can arrange transport from Vienna to its hotel. Ďurinová encouraged Icelanders with neurological, rheumatic, urological, kidney or orthopaedic problems, arthritis or chronic illnesses to consider a stay, as well as people interested in prevention.

She said the meeting with Möller was introductory. The minister listened to the proposal, but there had been no concrete outcome.

Ďurinová joined the spa as general manager in 2004, when she said it was outdated and poorly positioned to compete in Slovakia’s health tourism market. The spa ranked last among 25 Slovak spas for quality that year and rose to second place nationally by 2006, she said.

The company plans to continue developing its facilities and aims to establish a specialised rehabilitation hospital in 2028 or 2029. Its five-star Royal Palace hotel is part of the spa company.