As a concrete answer to the request for help from the Syrian people, thanks to the initiative of Cardinal Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio in Syria, and the support of the Department for the Integral Human Development Service, the “Open Hospitals” project was conceived in 2016 and became operational in 2017.
The main objective is to ensure free access to medical treatment for Syrians in poor conditions, through the strengthening of three non-profit hospitals: the Italian Hospital and the French Hospital in Damascus, and the St. Louis Hospital in Aleppo. This project has already provided more than 15.000 free treatments to poor Syrians (as of 15/01/2019) and aims to reach 50.000 within the next two years.
Activities
Free and high-quality medical treatment for those who cannot afford it (diagnostics, therapies, surgical procedures).
People involved
22,108 free treatments to poor Syrians as of 27/05/19. The goal of the project is to ensure 50,000 free medical treatments by 2020.
Donors
The project, sponsored by the Dicastery for the service of integral human development, is funded by:
Italian Episcopal Conference (8x1000); Papal Foundation; Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation; ROACO through the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher; Misereor (German Episcopal Organization for Development and Cooperation); US Episcopal Conference; Caritas Spain, Vatican Gendarmerie through the St. Michael Archangel Foundation; the CHA (Catholic Health Association - USA); “Terzo Pilastro – Internazionale” foundation; “Umano Progresso” Foundation; “Cariverona” Foundation; “Mondo Unito” Foundation, Caritas Provitae Gradu Charitable Trust, Hungary government (through “Hungary Helps” plan).
In addition to these loans, the project received further donations from individuals and Italian companies and contributions collected through the 5x1000.