Title: "Gente di Cuore": Viterbo Association Expands Free Healthcare to Include Dental Care
In the heart of Viterbo, a group of dedicated medical professionals, nurses, and technicians, collectively known as "Gente di Cuore", have been tirelessly providing free healthcare services to those most in need with cardiovascular conditions. Now, they’re expanding their services to include crucial dental care, bridging a gap left by the regional healthcare system.
Founded and led by cardiologist pediatra Sandro Marenzoni, "Gente di Cuore" has been operating since 2016, offering a wide range of services free of charge. These include cardiological, endocrinological, ophthalmological, orthopedic, and psychiatric consultations, along with diagnostic exams like ecographies, electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms. The association also provides essential, yet non-reimbursed, medications at no cost.
In their mission to address the unmet healthcare needs in their community, "Gente di Cuore" has recognized the pressing demand for affordable dental care. With an initial investment of €11,000, the association has acquired a state-of-the-art dental chair, enabling them to offer free dental services to those who cannot otherwise afford it.
Last year alone, "Gente di Cuore" provided 991 treatments, with €5,000 spent on distributing gratis medication. Now, the association aims to tackle dental health issues for vulnerable individuals, from children to adults. "We’re seeing a lot of cases where people have oral health problems because they simply can’t afford treatment," Marenzoni explains. "With our new dental chair, we aim to change that."
However, maintaining these vital services isn’t easy. Marenzoni and his team rely on a mix of meager donations and their own resources. For instance, they scrambled to secure €8,000 from Fondazione Carivit to purchase the dental chair, making up the rest themselves.
Marenzoni emphasizes that "Gente di Cuore" is a labor of love, run by volunteers willing to give both their time and money. But they need more help. "We’re poor among the poor. We hope to see more volunteers joining us to meet the growing healthcare needs of those who can’t afford it otherwise," he says.
As "Gente di Cuore" continues to broaden its services, it stands as a beacon of hope for those struggling to access quality, affordable healthcare in Viterbo. Their expansion into dental care is a testament to their commitment to holistic patient care, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial status, receives the medical attention they deserve.
