Romania’s Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, His Excellency George Bologan, participated in the signing ceremony of a Letter of Intent regarding cooperation between the Fundeni Clinical Institute and the renowned “Bambino Gesù” Pediatric Hospital of the Vatican (OPBG).
The document was signed by University Professor Anca Coliță, manager of the Fundeni Clinical Institute, assisted by Dr. Andra Marcu, and by Tiziano Onesti, president of the institution, on behalf of the Vatican hospital.
The Letter of Intent: A New Hope for Pediatric Cancer Patients
The Letter of Intent establishes close cooperation between the two hospitals, through which Romanian physicians will be trained by Italian specialists to learn new and effective methods for treating sick children.
Additionally, specialists from both hospitals will discuss complex medical cases via email or video conferences to find the best solutions, and children with severe conditions from Romania may, with the agreement of both parties, be sent for treatment at the “Bambino Gesù” Hospital in Italy.
This collaboration is necessary, as according to the National Institute of Public Health, the incidence of cancer in children (ages 0–19) is 410 new cases annually.
The Role of Romania’s Embassy in Supporting the Initiative
The Romanian Embassy supports this initiative, stressing the importance of international partnerships to benefit children diagnosed with cancer in Romania. Through this agreement, patients will gain access to high-quality medical expertise and new opportunities for healing.
“Collaboration and interconnection among institutions dedicated to caring for those who suffer and are in despair due to the loss of health are essential, for through their endeavors, goodness and hope enter the world, and hope means life,” declared His Excellency George Bologan.
The ceremony was attended by individuals engaged in acts of charity and mercy, who for years have supported the causes of children afflicted with cancer.
Among those present were the charitable priest Horia Nicolae Prioteasa and Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, conductor of the “Tronos” Byzantine Choir of the Bucharest Patriarchal Cathedral.
The Legacy of Irene Ecaterina and the Bucă Family
The story of Irene Ecaterina, daughter of Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, brought national attention to the hospital’s need for support.
“I once had a dream, Rome! This dream is now achievable thanks to an Angel, Irene Ecaterina, through Ștefan, Miguel Maury Buendia, and Gianpiero Gloder, following efforts spanning over three years,” Archdeacon Mihail Bucă wrote on his Facebook page.
It is well known that, through donations, the Bucă family chose to use the remaining funds to equip the Fundeni Oncology Institute with advanced diagnostic equipment for leukaemia, a blood preparation device for transfusions, mattresses for the pediatric ward, and more.
“Irene had a purpose, her cross to bear, and an extraordinary task to fulfil in this world: the funds of a disabled child suffering from cancer helped equip the ward where she was admitted,” said Irene’s mother, Daniela Bucă, in an interview.
Furthermore, alongside other merciful individuals, the Bucă family supported the construction of a church within the Fundeni Oncology Institute, the first place of worship in the country’s largest hospital for cancer patients, which previously lacked a sacred space.
The collaboration between the Fundeni Oncology Institute and the “Bambino Gesù” Hospital arose as a response to the cry of Father Mihail Bucă, a father who wishes to see no other child suffer from illness.
Bambino Gesù: A Global Leader in Pediatric Care
The “Bambino Gesù” Hospital, under the authority of the Holy See, is the largest pediatric hospital and research center in Europe.
It provides medical care in all pediatric specialties and collaborates with centers of excellence worldwide, serving as an international reference point for the treatment of children and adolescents.
Founded in 1869 in Rome by the Salviati ducal family, “Bambino Gesù” was Italy’s first pediatric hospital, inspired by the French Hôpital des Enfants Malades. In 1924, it was donated to the Holy See.
In 1985, it was recognized as a Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), and in 2006, it received international accreditation from the Joint Commission International for the quality of its medical services.
The hospital’s scientific activity is among the most active in Europe in the pediatric field, with over 1,000 scientific articles published in 2023, nearly 700 research projects, and 430 ongoing clinical trials.
The hospital holds 25 patent families and has enrolled over 18,000 patients in its international network for rare diseases. It hosts Orphanet Italia, the most extensive database dedicated to rare diseases, connected to a global network spanning over 40 countries.
Photo: Facebook / Embassy of Romania to the Holy See
