“Parque Almez” inaugurated at Hospital del Salvador

Today, the “Parque Almez” (Mez Park), a new healing garden located inside the Hospital del Salvador, was inaugurated. This is the fifth garden that the Inspira and Cosmos Foundations, together with the hospital itself, have restored as part of their “Recovery of the Healing Gardens of the Hospital del Salvador” project, offering the hospital community a new space to connect with nature and receive the benefits it provides. The restoration of the Almez Park, in particular, was possible thanks to the invaluable contribution of DIRECTV Chile through its Corporate Social Responsibility (Generación DIRECTV) division.

The Hospital del Salvador has more than 12 interior gardens, which were incorporated into its original design and construction in 1871, but have been neglected over time. These spaces have great potential to become healing or therapeutic gardens, thus complementing patient treatment and improving the quality of life of all its users.

“The creation of healing gardens in health centers is already a trend in countries like the United States and Europe, not only because we instinctively know that nature is good for us, but because there are more and more scientific studies that prove it. Therefore, our commitment is to continue creating spaces of connection with nature and to inspire others to do the same,” added Felipe Correa, Project Director of the Cosmos Foundation.

A study conducted by physician and neuroimmunologist Esther Sternberg indicates that just three to five minutes of observing spaces dominated by trees, flowers, or water helps reduce anger, anxiety, and pain, and can also induce changes in blood pressure, muscle tension, and electrical activity in the heart and brain. Similarly, another study by Walch et al. (2005) showed that people recovering from surgery in a room with natural light and a garden view required 22% less pain medication than those in rooms without these conditions. Swedish doctor Roger Ulrich, meanwhile, published the study “View through a window, may influence recovery from surgery,” in which he notes that “observing a garden can accelerate recovery from surgery, infections, or other ailments, reduce the use of medications, and speed up patient discharge.”