Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - The St John of God Catholic Hospital in Rome has had to enlarge its Maternity Department to meet ever growing needs The newly structured department extended after a record number of 3,604 births registered in 2005, has ten extra beds. It is named after St John Calibita and will be officially opened on Saturday 11th February, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick.
The Hospital situated in the city centre on an island in the Tiber River is the oldest hospital in Rome. The extended Maternity department has now 2 operating theatres, 5 delivery rooms and 1 emergency birth unit. In 2005 alone the Hospital helped 3,604 new babies come into the world including 76 twin deliveries, and 3 sets of triplets, an average of 10 births a day. This is a record number and is proof of an ever more efficient maternity service in 30 years of activity.
“For centuries at our hospital- says Prof Elio Cirese director of the Maternity Department - the St John of God Hospitaller Brothers have upheld the value of human life and striven to humanise the event of birth with professional assistance and sensitivity. Our professional dedication over the past 30 years has led us to obtain first place for the number of services and projects in Lazio region and all Italy”.
Programmes launched by the Hospital’s Maternity Department in recent years include: parents’ support programme with free advice from specialists in all the various fields; new mother support programme at home with the support of Rome City Family Policy office. (AP) (9/2/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:27; Parole:275)
