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Bertolé: "A call to concrete help to which the Milanese will be able to respond with conviction." Over two thousand pharmacies are taking part in the initiative, promoted by the Francesca Rava Foundation together with the KPMG Network to combat health poverty - Photo gallery

Milan, November 15 2021 – From today until Saturday 20th November "At the pharmacy for children", the national initiative created by the Francesca Rava Foundation together with the KPMG Network, dedicated to raising awareness of the rights of the little ones and the collection of over-the-counter medicines, baby food and pediatric products for children in health poverty. The initiative takes place thanks to the precious collaboration of 4.300 volunteers and around 50 companies in 2.144 participating pharmacies throughout Italy and the support of the institutional partners Federfarma, FOFI and Cosmofarma.

To contribute to the initiative, from today and for the next five days, it is possible to purchase medicines and pediatric products for children in health poverty in participating pharmacies. The packages purchased will be delivered to the Foundation's volunteers and donated to 800 organizations that help children and families in difficulty in Italy and to the NPH St. Damien Hospital, the only pediatric facility in Haiti. For the 2021 edition, the initiative, sponsored by the Municipality of Milan, also received the Medal of the President of the Republic and the patronage of the Ministry of Health and the Lombardy Region.

"The pandemic - declares the councilor for Welfare and Health Lamberto Bertolé - has been a shock for all of us and, as always in these cases, has exacerbated existing problems, including health poverty, especially child poverty. At the same time , however, has amplified some positive elements, for example the desire for citizens to participate in the common good. We have seen support and solidarity networks strengthen and the Rava Foundation initiative represents a shining example of this commitment. At the pharmacy with the children combines the involvement of volunteers with the recognition of the role of pharmacies which, especially in the last year, have represented a point of reference for the most vulnerable citizens. A call to act and help concretely to which, I am sure, the Milanese will be able to give a convinced and important response."

"The Covid-19 health emergency - underlines Mariavittoria Rava, President of the Francesca Rava Foundation - was also followed by the economic and social one. According to Istat data, in Italy in 2020 the minors in absolute poverty reached 1.346.000 (+209.000 compared to the previous year). There are many requests for help that the Francesca Rava Foundation continues to receive from group homes, communities for minors and families who are unable to meet the needs of their children from 15 to 20 November in participating pharmacies we can all purchase and donate medicines and pediatric products for children in health poverty. All together, we can contribute to achieving one of the most important sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda: Health for all and of all ages. , SDG3".

"We participate in the project every year At the pharmacy for children with great passion. With the pandemic – adds Giovanni Rebay, KPMG partner who has always supported the Francesca Rava Foundation – there are many families in difficulty and we believe it is important to provide concrete contributions to social hardship, even more so when it comes to children. The reference model that inspires us in these actions is that of social responsibility, the desire to have a positive impact on society. This year's goal is to reach a new record for the collection and destination of medicines needed by children in health conditions."

A leaflet on children's rights will also be distributed in participating pharmacies, dedicated this year to disseminating the contents of the 2030 Agenda and the United Nations' sustainable development goals and, in particular, Objective 3: Health for all the ages.