Purme Hospital strives not to miss ‘golden time’ for children’s rehabilitation

Purme Foundation Nexon Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital opened in Mapo-gu, Seoul, in 2016, thanks to donations from countless citizens. (Courtesy of Purme Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital)

The developmental period in pediatric rehabilitation is so crucial that it’s often called the “golden time.”

Yet the medical environment remains inadequate, with too few specialized hospitals, trained personnel, and sufficient support. Purme Foundation Nexon Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital has drawn attention since its opening for the hope it offers in the limited field of pediatric rehabilitation.

To address this gap, Purme Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, located in Mapo-gu, Seoul, became Korea’s first integrated pediatric rehabilitation hospital—established with the support of district officials, Nexon, and countless citizens.

The hospital also gained attention during construction through the active donations of singer Sean, who serves as a Purme Foundation ambassador. He continues to host annual charity marathons to fund rehabilitation for children with disabilities. Photos of his volunteer work line the hospital’s corridors.

The inpatient ward corridor features a running track, enabling children with walking difficulties to practice their steps. (KBR photo)

A hospital designed entirely for children’s rehabilitation

Purme Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital provides compassionate, tailored treatment for children from infancy through adolescence. Specialists in rehabilitation medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics, together with physical and occupational therapists and social workers, create a nurturing environment where every child’s progress is celebrated.

The hospital’s facilities are purpose-built for pediatric rehabilitation: track-shaped corridors, family-style rooms, specialized intervention areas, and sensory integration spaces link treatment, play, and learning.

Upon entering the inpatient ward on the fifth floor, visitors are greeted by a cheerful yellow track. It’s more than a corridor—it’s a space where young patients, secured by safety harnesses attached to ceiling rails, take their first courageous steps toward independence. Pride shines in their eyes as they overcome fear and doubt.

Another key feature is the Special Intervention Therapy Room on the fourth floor, where caregivers play with their children while receiving real-time coaching from medical staff observing through a one-way glass window.

The School-age Rehabilitation Room helps children with developmental disabilities prepare for classroom settings, mimicking a real school environment.

Technology also plays a role. In the Robot Rehabilitation Therapy Room, children who struggle to stand or walk train with four kinds of robots, including walking and wearable robots. For some, it’s the first time they can make eye contact or stand upright on their own.

From top left, clockwise: Special Intervention Therapy Room, School-age Rehabilitation Therapy Room, wearable robot, and entrance to the Purme Robot Rehabilitation Therapy Room. (KBR photo)

Restoring life by seizing the rehabilitation ‘golden time’

Few other facilities in Korea offer the kind of life-changing pediatric rehabilitation therapy found at Purme Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. As a result, many parents travel long distances in hope and anxiety to find help for their children—often only to discover that the long wait cost them their child’s best chance for recovery.

In an interview with Korea Biomedical Review last Thursday, Vice President Hong Ji-yeon, a rehabilitation specialist at the hospital, spoke of “hope.”

This hope is tangible. Hong explained that “creating an environment where children with disabilities can live their own lives through rehabilitation based on realistic goals” lies at the heart of Purme’s mission—restoring dreams, empowering families, and brightening children’s futures.

She emphasized that rehabilitation therapy is not merely about functional recovery but about “designing a path for the child and family to flourish together in society.” Pediatric rehabilitation, she said, is a continuous journey where realistic goal-setting and family involvement are essential to each child’s well-being.

In line with this philosophy, the hospital holds Family Conferences, where medical staff and families jointly observe and discuss treatment progress.

“Initially, there were complaints about the extra effort involved, and there was no separate fee. But we believed this method reflected the ‘proper rehabilitation therapy’ we learned in textbooks,” Dr. Hong said. “Eventually, the hospital recognized its value, and we secured a small reimbursement fee.”

In an interview with Korea Biomedical Review last Thursday, Hong Ji-yeon, vice president of Purme Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, said the hospital aims to provide pediatric rehabilitation medicine that helps children live “their own lives” based on realistic goals and family participation. (KBR photo)

Sustained by donations, the hospital needs public and government support

Staffing remains a challenge, especially for physical and occupational therapists. Despite being located in Seoul, experienced staff are scarce, and even new therapists often leave after three or four years.

“Our hospital is in a relatively better position because therapists stay due to our diverse treatment equipment, facilities, and educational programs,” Hong noted.

Deputy Director Hong cited “cost imbalance” as a key factor behind recruitment difficulties.

Pediatric rehabilitation is offered through medical institutions, developmental service providers, daycare programs, and private centers. Yet despite identical treatment content, fees differ significantly. Medical institutions face the lowest reimbursement rates, prompting experienced therapists to move to higher-paying private centers.

Hong proposed Japan’s “Therapeutic Education Centers” as a potential model. These centers, which provide rehabilitation medical care, are divided into welfare-type and medical institution-type facilities—but receive the same level of government support.

As Purme Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital approaches its 10th anniversary in 2026, it stands as a testament to resilience and compassion. What it needs most now is continued, heartfelt attention from those who care about children’s rehabilitation.

“Thanks to people who donate even small amounts—on birthdays, anniversaries, or other occasions—such as one family who donated 3.65 million won ($2,540) received at their child’s first birthday, we’ve been able to keep the hospital running,” Hong said.

“More than anything, public and government support form the heartbeat of children’s ongoing treatment. Every small act of care and affection, when joined together, creates an immense force of hope and healing,” she emphasized.