Reconstruction efforts are underway to rebuild the RSA (Residenza Sanitaria Assistenziale – Residential Healthcare Facility) in San Ginesio, Italy, following damage sustained during the 2016 earthquake. A significant investment of €7.4 million has been allocated to the project, which will focus on seismic adaptation, energy efficiency improvements, and enhanced accessibility for patients.
The project, approved by the Special Reconstruction Office, will specifically address buildings B and C within the RSA complex, located between Via Roma, the historic town walls, and the Church of Santa Maria in Vepretis. Importantly, services currently offered in building A will continue uninterrupted throughout the construction phase, ensuring ongoing access to clinic and pharmacy services, including a health point and telemedicine capabilities.
The rebuilt RSA will accommodate a total of 39 beds, distributed across three levels. The ground floor will house common services and logistical functions. The first floor will be dedicated to a protected residential area for the elderly, with 19 beds, alongside clinics and rehabilitation spaces designed for individual physiotherapy treatments. The second floor will provide healthcare residential services for elderly individuals requiring more intensive care, with 20 beds, catering to those with greater frailty.
The commitment to rebuilding the RSA underscores the importance of these facilities in providing care for an aging population, particularly in inland areas like San Ginesio. As President Francesco Acquaroli stated, the reconstruction is a “tangible sign of the reconstruction that is progressing and the restoration of a fundamental service for the entire area.” He further emphasized that, with a growing number of individuals experiencing chronic conditions and an increasing lifespan, RSAs are “an essential tool for guaranteeing a future perspective for our internal areas, allowing elderly people to remain connected to their roots.”
The initial funding for the project was set at €5.9 million, but has been increased to reflect the evolving scope and costs associated with the reconstruction. According to Guido Castelli, the Extraordinary Commissioner for Reconstruction, the final figure of €7.4 million reflects a more accurate assessment of the project’s economic requirements. “The resources are there,” Castelli affirmed, “the priority now is knowing how to use them well and quickly.”
The project’s evolution highlights the complexities of post-disaster reconstruction. The initial estimate, outlined in Ordinance 109 of 2021, was revised following a regional conference and subsequent updates from the Special Reconstruction Office. This iterative process ensures that funding aligns with the actual needs of the project, allowing for a more comprehensive and effective rebuild.
Councilor Francesco Baldelli noted that the project isn’t simply about repairing damage, but about creating a modern healthcare facility. “With the team of architects and engineers of the healthcare and hospital building structure, we are taking the facility into the future with internal organizational solutions and technological measures capable of restoring hotel-type quality of stays.”
Councilor Paolo Calcinaro echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the broader benefits for the community. “The start of this construction site has a double positive value…for the community of San Ginesio it means bringing back essential post-earthquake services capable of regenerating the local economy and employment; for the Marche system it represents a necessary response to decongest emergency rooms and hospital departments, offering specific solutions for chronic conditions in the area.”
Mayor Giuliano Ciabocco underscored the vital role the RSA plays in the community. “The RSA is vital for San Ginesio, exactly as it was in the years preceding the earthquake. Having these structures available again is a great satisfaction because it allows people to stay in the area. It is the engine and the beating heart necessary for our community to become as important as it was before.”
The reconstruction of the San Ginesio RSA represents a significant step forward in the region’s recovery from the 2016 earthquake. The project demonstrates a commitment to providing essential healthcare services to a vulnerable population, while also contributing to the economic and social revitalization of the area. The ongoing provision of services from building A during the construction phase is a testament to the dedication to minimizing disruption to patient care.
As of , work is progressing on the new R. Frau Vocational School for Industry and Crafts in San Ginesio, a separate but related reconstruction project. This school is expected to open in September 2026, providing educational opportunities for the younger generation and further contributing to the area’s recovery.
