Since 1920, this space has been used to host big events and expositions in Italy. It belongs to the Fiera Milano foundation. However, in the last few days, it has radically changed the function of its two pavilions.
In response to the pandemic, the Fiera Milano foundation contributed two pavilions, with a total surface area of over 25,000 square meters, to build a makeshift hospital.
One of the organizations supporting the initiative is the Order of Malta.
CARLO SETTEMBRINI
CISOM, Lombardy, Order of Malta
“What most impacts and supports our volunteer work, is the more than 8,000 health experts' availability and willingness to help. They include doctors and nurses, each person with a specific area of expertise. They have made themselves available to help out in this new hospital.”
The work was divided into three phases. The first allows for the immediate use of 53 beds. The goal is to reach 205 beds in the second and third phases.
GUIDO BERTOLASO
Italian Civil Protection
“The Civil Protection Department has issued an important notice to face this situation. It includes immediately hiring 300 medical workers, obviously specialized in what we need. This includes anesthesiologists, resuscitators, experts in emergency medicine, as well as leaders in resuscitation and intensive and sub-intensive care units. That's not all however. Even someone who doesn't know how to intubate a patient can be helpful.”
The Fiera Milano foundation also set up a fund to support important interventions to help the Italian health system and support the work being done at this makeshift hospital.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: Claudia Torres
