The Bambino Gesù hospital in Rome is among the first to welcome a group of children from Gaza. Together with family members, 4 children will be receiving the necessary medical care that was unavailable to them in Gaza.
TIZIANO ONESTI
President, Bambino Gesù hospital
Two are together. One is in orthopedics; two have problems of a metabolic nature. One with blood problems—some are pathologies related to the fact that there is no longer a hospital in Gaza.
We tried to make sure that the child was in the most natural conditions to be able to stay here and think about taking care of themselves. Basically, they are receiving all the love and hospitality from the doctors, nurses, all the volunteers and also from ourselves to show that we are close to them.
The children traveled by plane from Gaza through Egpyt to Italy, where ambulances and doctors were waiting to take them directly to the hospital. Together with the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, the hospital President visited each of the new patients to bring them gifts and messages of hope. They described the move to Italy as already having a positive impact on the children.
FR. IBRAHIM FALTAS
Vicar, Custody of the Holy Land
They have changed. They are much better. We saw them smile and they are happy. They said they came out of hell and they came here to Italy. For them, it was like the dream. No one could imagine coming here to Italy, then to Bambino Gesù. And really they are happy.
The President says the hospital was responding to a call from the Italian government to welcome these children in need—which is an embodiment of thier mission.
TIZIANO ONESTI
President, Bambino Gesù hospital
We welcome everyone regardless of religion, of wealth. We provide healthcare for all children in a special way but here the door is always open for everyone. And we consider that the Bambino Gesù carries out a whole international activity that is very important, which then concretely expresses the mission of the Church in this sense.
While only a small group of children have been able to make the journey to Italy thus far, those involved in this mission are hopeful that more children will be able to receive the treatment they need both at the Bambino Gesù and throughout Italy.
KG
