In one of these test tubes could be the cure to one of the thousands of rare illnesses that exist. The tubes are from Bambino Gesù Hospital, run by the Holy See since 1924 and known as “the pope's hospital.” It's Europe's largest private pediatric health center.
Each year, the hospital carries out more than 27,000 operations. Its operating rooms have been the setting of two of the most important infant transplants in the world. The most recent case was the separation of these conjoined twins from Burundi.
The hospital has four distinct health centers in Rome and, in addition to caring for children, boasts a team of 300 experts who research autism, cellular mutation, immunology and transplantology.
MARIELLA ENOC
Director, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital
“Above all, patients are people, so at the center we care for the person, the family, relationships... They are never a number or a child known for his or her illness. Here, we cure the person and later the illness. We carry out expensive research for which we receive no economic benefit. We don't research to later present the information to pharmaceutical companies; we research to discover and cure.”
Dr. Mariella Enoc has been the health center's director for three years. She practically lives there, and if she's not there, she's traveling to Africa or other disadvantaged countries to reach agreements with other hospitals.
Nearly 14 percent of this hospital's patients are foreign. The majority come from poor countries where parents don't have the knowledge or means to confront the illness.
The entire family suffers in this process, mostly when recovery is lengthy and customs and native language suffer. The hospital offers free accommodation, education and meals during the stay.
MARIELLA ENOC
Director, Bambin Gesù hospital
'We have opened this hospital, the pope’s hospital, as it should be in the universal Church, to children from all over the world. Some receive aid from a foundation, but many come here and we take care of all the expenses: the child’s recovery and also maintaining the family.'
At the beginning of January, the hospital received a visit from Pope Francis. It was the first time a pope had come to the Palidoro clinic, located near the sea.
He had a conversation with the director before going. The pope told her that if they prepared some ostentatious reception, he would not get out of the car and would simply return to the Vatican.
MARIELLA ENOC
Director, Bambin Gesù hospital
'He asked me to organize a private visit without a great reception, and without many people. That’s how it happened. In fact, the first person who greeted him was a woman who was passing by at that moment and kissed his ring. FLASH 14:13 - 14:23 'The pope did not give words of consolation. This was very nice because when a person is sick, being told 'have courage' does not help much.'
For some parents, a child’s illness is a great suffering. That is why, at Bambino Gesù, each and every one of its workers puts their heart and soul into making this hard experience a little easier.
