Azerbaijan’s First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva Visits Europe’s Largest Pediatric Hospital

Rome, The Gulf Observer: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, Europe’s largest children’s medical and research institution, where she was briefed on the hospital’s advanced facilities in molecular genetics and clinical diagnostics.

During her visit, the First Vice-President toured the hospital’s state-of-the-art laboratories and received detailed information from Tiziano Onesti, President of Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, about its research infrastructure and clinical operations.

Founded in 1869 by the Salviati family, Bambino Gesù is one of Italy’s first pediatric hospitals and is recognized as an extraterritorial institution of the Holy See. Although financed by the Italian government and operating as a public healthcare facility, it remains under the jurisdiction of the Holy See and is directly accountable to it.

Since 2006, Bambino Gesù has been accredited by the Joint Commission International as an academic hospital and today stands as Europe’s largest pediatric hospital and research center. Its San Paolo branch serves as the primary hub for large-scale research in genetics and cell biology, housing cutting-edge laboratories and a pharmaceutical production facility where innovative treatment methods are developed. Clinical diagnostics at the hospital are closely integrated with genetic testing, enabling precision and personalized approaches in medical care.

The visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 10 between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital.

The agreement aims to advance cooperation in research on rare diseases, molecular genetics, and clinical diagnostics. It will provide Azerbaijani scientists and healthcare professionals with opportunities to train in advanced research methods, access cutting-edge laboratory technologies, and conduct joint scientific studies.

As part of this collaboration, new laboratories meeting international standards will be established in Azerbaijan, fostering the development of a new generation of specialists capable of conducting independent scientific research. The partnership also envisions the participation of Azerbaijani medical professionals in international training and exchange programs, further strengthening the country’s healthcare and research capacities.