Vienna launches mobile hospice care for kids

22 Apr, 2013

Vienna has launched a mobile service to look after severely ill children in their homes.

There about 800 young people in the Vienna area with life-threatening illnesses, about 120 of whom die each year. The new service now makes it possible to look after them in their homes surrounded by their families. Care will be provided in close cooperation with paediatricians, children’s hospitals, social workers and pastoral services. The aim is to cover all who need the care within the next three years.

The new scheme, called Momo, has been made possible thanks to Caritas, Caritas Socialis and the mobile care unit Moki Vienna. It is named after Momo the children’s story by the best-selling author Michael Ende. The service is free and for the time being replies exclusively on private donations.