ZCH Expands “Go Little Sunflower · Neighbor's Home” Initiative to Better Support Families Traveling for Children's Medical Care
To celebrate International Children's Day, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (ZCH), together with the Ant Foundation and partners from government, academia and the community, officially launched the upgraded “Go Little Sunflower · Neighbor's Home” initiative. The program, originally established as “Huyou Tongxin · Neighbor's Home,” has expanded from two apartments with seven rooms to 33 standardized apartments, providing more comprehensive accommodation and support services for families traveling from across China to seek medical care for their children at ZCH.
The expansion represents more than an increase in accommodation capacity. Alongside the new apartments, the initiative now offers a full range of support services, including shared kitchens, professional medical social workers, psychological counselling, daily living assistance, hospital navigation and digital public welfare services. Together, these services aim to ease the financial, practical and emotional pressures faced by families receiving treatment away from home, allowing parents to focus on their children's recovery.
The launch ceremony, themed “Warm Hearts, Blossoming Hope”, brought together representatives from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Civil Affairs, the Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission, the Hangzhou Municipal Government, Zhejiang University, the Ant Foundation and other partner organizations. Hospital leaders, healthcare professionals, volunteers and families of pediatric patients also attended the event.
In her remarks, Ms. Zhang Weifang, Party Secretary of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, said the hospital has always been committed to delivering not only high-quality medical care but also compassionate support for children and their families. ZCH continues to strengthen both clinical excellence and patient-centered services, ensuring that children and their families receive comprehensive care throughout their healthcare journey.
Representatives from the government highlighted the importance of children's health as the foundation of a healthy society and described the program as a successful example of collaboration among healthcare institutions, government departments, charitable organizations and community partners in building a more child-friendly city.
The upgraded initiative introduces three major improvements. First, its capacity has been significantly expanded, with the 33 apartments expected to serve at least 780 families each year. Second, the program now supports families of children with serious illnesses from outside Hangzhou's main urban area, allowing more families to benefit from its services. Third, professional support has been further strengthened through dedicated medical social workers, professional supervision and volunteer teams, providing psychological support, guidance on medical insurance and welfare policies, health education and family-centered activities.
Looking ahead, ZCH and its partners will continue to strengthen collaboration among hospitals, government departments, universities, charitable organizations and community partners, further expanding the "Go Little Sunflower · Neighbor's Home" initiative and improving services for families seeking medical care away from home. More than providing temporary accommodation, the initiative reflects the hospital's commitment to family-centered care by offering practical assistance, professional support and a caring community throughout a family's medical journey. Through these collective efforts, ZCH hopes to ensure that every child receives not only high-quality medical treatment, but also the care and support that help families face the challenges of illness with greater confidence and resilience.
