The First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania, Diana Nausėdienė, visited the St. John Baptist Hospital in Rome today, a facility of the Order of Malta’s Italian Association specializing in motor and neurological rehabilitation. Accompanied by Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau, Grand Commander of the Sovereign Order of Malta, the First Lady experienced firsthand the hospital’s activities, demonstrating the Order’s commitment to the rehabilitation of patients with trauma and neurological pathologies.
The visit emphasises the solid relations between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Republic of Lithuania, whose cooperation in the social and humanitarian fields has developed since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992. Last June, Grand Master Fra’ John T. Dunlap paid a state visit to Lithuania, where he met with President Gitanas Nausėda.
In her recent speech for the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Lithuanian Relief Corps, Diana Nausėdienė said that the bond between Lithuania and the Order of Malta is based primarily on Christian values, solidarity and assistance to the most vulnerable. This collaboration is expressed in the work of the Order’s Relief Corps in Lithuania, which has some 2,300 volunteers, including 600 young people and 170 professionals, and is present in 44 locations with programmes aimed at the elderly, children in difficult conditions, people with disabilities and refugees.
The visit to the St. John Baptist Hospital offered the First Lady the opportunity to learn more about the Order of Malta’s commitment to healthcare in Italy and especially in motor and neurological rehabilitation, as described by ACISMOM President Lorenzo Borghese and the hospital’s director Edoardo Bellomo. Particular attention was paid to equine-assisted therapy, which began in 2016 and has now become one of the hospital’s distinguishing activities. This project now covers some 7,700 square metres dedicated to hippotherapy, integrated with the Bosco Vivo and the Rehabilitation Garden. Motor rehabilitation is flanked by relations with animals and outdoor activities, also providing cognitive, relational and emotional benefits. Thousands of people were involved, including post-coma patients, traffic-accident victims and those with Parkinson’s disease. According to the data, 92% of treated patients achieved their projected rehabilitation goals.
At the House of the Knights of Rhodes, the First Lady also met Benedetto Barberini, President of the Italian Relief Corps, active for over 50 years in civil protection, health and social care and humanitarian aid, thanks to the commitment of doctors, nurses, first responders and volunteers. The talks provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration between the Italian and Lithuanian Corps, including the exchange of experience and know-how in emergency response.
