Campaigners seek to save nearly century-old Kristnes Hospital

A new association has been formed to secure the future of Kristnes Hospital, including renovations and the continuation of rehabilitation services there, mbl.is reports. About 90 people attended its founding meeting at Hælið, a centre dedicated to the history of tuberculosis.

Kristnes Hospital opened in 1927 as the Northern Iceland Sanatorium at Kristnes and played an important role in the fight against tuberculosis. Mould was recently detected in the hospital, which is now used by a rehabilitation unit.

The association, called Björgum Kristsnesi, says it will raise awareness of the importance of rehabilitation at Kristnes, press the authorities to guarantee the service’s future and help make the building fit for continued use. It also plans to collect donations for renovations.

The health minister, MPs representing the Northeast constituency and the executive management of Akureyri Hospital were invited to the meeting. One MP attended and two sent apologies, according to the announcement.

Those elected to the association’s board are chef Hallgrímur Sigurðarson, nurse Susanne Neumann, actor María Pálsdóttir, university professor Halldór S. Guðmundsson and nurse Kristín Thorberg.