TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan has started construction on a new public complex in Xinhua District that will combine medical services with a range of social welfare support, replacing a long-defunct fruit and vegetable market.

The project will convert the centrally located site into a health clinic and welfare park designed to serve families, seniors, young children, and people with disabilities, according to Tainan City Government, per CNA.

City officials say the redevelopment responds to rising demand for community-based care by grouping multiple services in one location rather than scattering them across the district. The complex is designed to serve multiple needs, from routine medical care and child services to family-oriented spaces and support programs for people with disabilities.

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said the city secured central government subsidies alongside municipal funding to advance the project. He described it as a way to ease caregiving pressure on households while improving access to everyday services.

Health Bureau Director Lee Tsui-feng (李翠鳳) said the existing Xinhua health center has become increasingly inadequate due to aging infrastructure and cramped layouts, limiting its ability to handle expanding public health workloads. The new clinic, she said, will feature updated equipment, clearer patient flow, and improved spaces.

The city has pledged to closely monitor construction quality and timelines and to ensure a smooth opening.