(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 22.04.2024).- To find a place to have a medical check-up is something that probably doesn’t cross the mind of the majority of people living on the street. Their lives are a daily struggle to find food, safe shelter and basic hygiene facilities.
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has been conscious of this need and responded through Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, creating shower facilities under Saint Peter’s Colonnade, lodgings such as the “Gift of Mercy” on Via dei Penitenzieri and the “Mother of Mercy” Clinic under the Colonnade.
Established on Thursday, April 18 in the Vatican’s Square was the Prevention Caravan, resulting from the collaboration between the Dicastery for the Service of Charity and KOMEN- Italy. The association is dedicated to the prevention and fight against breast cancer, in collaboration the IRCCS Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation and Gemelli Isola.
The Caravan will be at the Vatican every two months. A pink ribbon, symbol of the prevention and research on the most widespread cancer among women, has been placed outside the “Mother of Mercy” Clinic.
On the first day, 40 women were attended by the Clinic and Saint Martha’s Dispensary. They underwent diagnostic tests to detect breast cancer. If any of the women were to have a problem, they would be given additional examinations and all the necessary treatments.
This initiative is just one of the many carried out by the “Mother of Mercy” Clinic. A clinic, desired by the Holy Father, has become a functional reality.
Since January 1, 2024, 4,429 health services have been provided, including 2,054 general medical consultations, 1,901 specialized consultations, 115 dental visits, 359 laboratory tests have been carried out and 4,199 boxes of medicines have been delivered.
The Clinic is able to function thanks to the support of 80 doctors, nurses, paramedics and technicians who volunteer their time and professionalism to attend to the most vulnerable.
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