by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Giusy Battain – founder and director of the ABC Bambini Chirurgici association, Riccardo Riccardi, FVG Councilor for Health, Social Policies, and Disability
In Trieste, a city known for its medical excellence, a new initiative is addressing a quieter but pressing need: where families stay while their children undergo complex care.
On Friday, the nonprofit ABC Bambini Chirurgici inaugurated three renovated apartments on Via dell’Istria, offering free accommodation to families of children treated at the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo. The units expand a hospitality program the organization has operated for more than 20 years.
Each year, about 270 families travel to Trieste from across Italy for specialized pediatric surgery, often facing the added burden of securing housing near the hospital. The challenge reflects a broader national trend: according to the Fondazione Gimbe, interregional health mobility reached a record €5.15 billion in 2023, highlighting persistent disparities in access to care.
The three apartments — modest in size but carefully designed — aim to provide more than lodging. Located near the hospital, they offer families a place to rest, cook, and maintain a semblance of daily life during prolonged hospital stays.
A study conducted with the University of Trieste found that nearly 70 percent of families said the availability of housing influenced their decision to seek care in Trieste, while almost all reported a reduction in stress.
Funded by a mix of public and private contributions, including support from the Beneficentia Stiftung, the project underscores the growing role of nonprofit groups in complementing public health services.
In a city where tourism has made affordable housing increasingly scarce, the apartments offer a simple but significant form of support — helping families remain close during some of their most difficult moments.
