The event was attended by local authorities and employees of the institutions. The Rector of UniSALESIANO, Fr Paulo Fernando Vendrame, SDB, stressed the importance of the new facilities: "This space means taking care of life. We will welcome many fragile people who need attention, care and affection, and above all the gift of health. UniSALESIANO is honoured to be part of this story."
The Director of the Santa Casa hospital, Prof. Petrônio Pereira Lima, stressed the humanisation of the health services that will be offered in the new centre: "Here we will provide specialties that municipalities do not have. It is about greater humanity, which is the hallmark of this collaboration. Humanisation consists in promoting and guaranteeing the dignity of the care provided to those who come here to take care of their health."
The mayor of Araçatuba, Dilador Borges, commented: "I personally believe very much in partnerships and UniSALESIANO is a great partner, if not the biggest partner of the Municipality in such a delicate sector as health. My thanks go to them.”
After the official speeches, Fr Vendrame, together with the Pro-Rector for Pastoral Care in UniSALESIANO, Fr Paulo Eduardo Jácomo, SDB, and the Rector of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Corumbá, Fr João dos Santos Neto, blessed the new facilities and services provided by the Santa Casa de Araçatuba in the new Medical Specialty Clinic. The authorities then unveiled the souvenir plaque of the inauguration and participated in a first exploratory tour of the new outpatient centre.
The new Medical Specialty Clinic, with a surface area of 425,74 square metres, is twice as large as the previous one and is equipped with advanced technologies and a more comfortable environment for patients and their carers. The total investment for the preparation of the spaces and the purchase of specialised machinery for examinations and interventions – such as, for example, colposcopy, electrocardiograms and orthopaedic infiltrations – was 1,608,421.00 reais (over 260,000 euro).
The Dean of UniSALESIANO for teaching, research and postgraduate studies, Prof. André Ornellas, stressed the advantages for student training and for the community: "Our teachers and students now have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, making a significant contribution to the improvement of public health services, in a collaboration that strengthens the local health system."
The new structure of the Medical Specialty Clinic represents a milestone in the collaboration between UniSALESIANO, Santa Casa de Araçatuba and the Municipality, consolidating a new concept of care for patients, with particular attention to the excellence and humanisation of the services offered.
Monique Bueno
Source: Salesian Bulletin of Brazil
