Vatican City, Jul 18, 2015 / 03:04 am
Correction: July 21, 2015 9:28 am MST. Due to an erroneous Vatican source, this article originally said that the Vatican's helicopter was being used by the hospital. It is in fact the Vatican's helifacilities.
One of Europe's best pediatric hospitals, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital in Rome, can now use the Vatican's helipad to transport patients, personnel and medical equipment in emergencies.
The agreement was announced July 17th by the hospital and the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, and is part of a bigger initiative to use the helipad within a regional network for emergency management.
"We are grateful to the Holy See, the Secretary of State and the Governatorate in particular, in the person of the SCV's Secretary General, Bishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga, for this opportunity, which is given to the Bambino Gesù hospital, and especially to the many young patients from all over Italy, who unfortunately need urgently to reach our hospital," Bambino Gesu President Mariella Enoc said Friday, according to Vatican Radio.
"It is an important gesture of charity that responds to a basic health need: the physical proximity between the Vatican City State and our seat on the Janiculum Hill, in fact, will significantly shorten transport times, contributing in many cases to saving the lives of children," she added.