Through my work at the hospital, I learned about a very important community need. The telemedicine program uses computers to connect doctors in the city with doctors in other parts of the country so they can work on cases together. Hopefully, the kids get to stay at home and receive treatment, but sometimes they need to come to Buenos Aires to Hospital Garrahan for their treatment. They may need to stay for a few days, weeks, or even months. This means they need to find a place to live in Buenos Aires while they are being treated.
Hospital Garrahan is part of the public healthcare system in Argentina, which means the patients and their families do not pay for the treatment they receive in the hospital. When the doctors decide a patient must travel from their home to Buenos Aires, the travel is also often paid for. However, families have to find a place to stay while they are in the city, and that can be expensive. Some families cannot afford it.
Fundación Garrahan (Garrahan Foundation) is a non-profit organization that created Casa Garrahan. If you've ever heard of Ronald McDonald Houses in the United States, this is a similar idea. There's now a house located a short two-block walk from the hospital where kids and their families can stay while they receive treatment. There are 43 bedrooms, shared kitchens and play areas. They do their best to make sure the kids have toys, activities and whatever they need to feel comfortable.
