Reflect on a time when compassion transformed a city. Here at the Hospital San Francisco de Asís that legacy lives on. It began with a vision to serve. Franciscanas Misioneras de María had been linked to health since their early days in Madrid.
In 1912 Queen Victoria Eugenia requested their help. She wanted them to work at a hospital she founded. It was for children with tuberculosis in Madrid. The sisters established a center in 1926. It provided healthcare to young women and their families.
The Hospital Católico was founded in 1935. It sought assistance from the Franciscanas Misioneras de María. Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid inaugurated the hospital on March 19 1935. Dr. Baldomero Castresana was its director. A dozen doctors, the sisters, and some nurses started working here.
The Spanish Civil War erupted. On July 20 1936 the Socorro Rojo Internacional seized the hospital. They renamed it “Hospital de Sangre nº 2”. Initially some sisters remained. Among them was a French religious doctor. A few months later everyone was expelled including religious staff, doctors, and lay people. A committee of militiamen took over. Later the Cuerpo de Carabineros took control.
After the war the Ministerio de la Gobernación seized the hospital on March 28 1939. The sisters returned on April 1. They had to reclaim their convent and hospital. The Archbishopric delegated Dr. Bermejillo. He represented the Hospital Católico. This was due to the scarcity of medical centers in the city.
The state temporarily used it for patients with avitaminosis. The religious sisters relaunched their assistance. This happened without official or private aid. It was used as the Instituto Antidiftérico under state supervision. It remained so until September 30 1940.
The Franciscanas Misioneras de María regained possession. The sisters decided to open their own sanatorium. It was named Sanatorio San Francisco de Asís. The first patient was admitted in Christmas 1940. Soon the facilities became too small. It started with 18 beds and an outpatient clinic.
Construction began on a new building in June 1948. The current building was inaugurated on October 4 1951. The Archbishop of Madrid-Alcalá presided over the event.
The Hospital San Francisco de Asís continuously improved since its foundation. New buildings and parking areas were constructed. Existing buildings were renovated. Services and care units expanded. New diagnostic equipment was acquired. Modern techniques were integrated.
The priority is patient care. They provide the highest quality and efficiency. The Hospital San Francisco de Asís strives to be at the forefront of technology. They offer it to patients.
In 2012 the name changed. Sanatorio San Francisco de Asís became Hospital San Francisco de Asís. Today the hospital stands for life and hope. It is managed by the Instituto de las Franciscanas Misioneras de María. It serves the Universal Mission. It promotes peace, justice, and solidarity across five continents.
Today the Hospital San Francisco de Asís uses advanced technology. Highly qualified staff provide healthcare services. It has an emergency service with eight beds. There are 113 single rooms, nine intensive care beds and six day unit beds. Twelve neonatology incubators are available. There are ten hemodialysis stations. The hospital includes three surgical units with ten operating rooms and delivery rooms.