A 160-year history of "selflessness and dedication".
With these words, the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci today awarded Sister Franca Caporali, of the Grosseto Red Cross, the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest honor that the International Red Cross awards every two years.
"This important anniversary - said Schillaci - offers us the opportunity to celebrate the fundamental role that the Italian Red Cross plays in the field of health and social assistance, serving the most fragile and vulnerable people everywhere. The symbol of this commitment today it is the face of Sister Franca Caporali in Vaglio, who with self-sacrifice and a spirit of sacrifice dedicated her life to others, in over 60 years spent for so long outside our borders, in the most difficult scenarios of war and poverty: from Somalia to Congo, from Mozambique to Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo.
An activity - he underlined - continued with extreme courage and generosity even after the experience of the kidnapping suffered in Albania.
To her, the emblem of personal assistance, I give this medal with a deep sense of admiration, expressing my gratitude towards all those who bring help and comfort to those in situations of great fragility".
"It is good to remember - stated the minister - the precious contribution that the Italian Red Cross makes in essential areas for the protection of health: ambulance services, support to 118; the contribution provided during the pandemic through high-performance means biocontainment. And also the commitment spent in support of the Usmaf offices in border areas and at airports; in the promotion of blood donation and prevention, and in this regard I remember the screening and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases".
"Your example - concluded Schillaci - revives the sense of community everywhere and responds to the essential principle that guides our Health Service: a principle of humanity that puts the person at the centre".
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