‘No family should face their child’s medical journey alone’. This belief has driven Ronald McDonald House, for five decades to create havens for millions of families across 62 countries. Today, this commitment reaches a milestone in India. The country’s first Ronald McDonald House opens in Mumbai, offering a home away from home for families of children undergoing medical treatment, bringing hope, comfort, and community support to families when they need it most.
The Ronald McDonald House was inaugurated by advocate Ashish Shelar, minister for information technology, government of Maharashtra, in the presence of dignitaries including Bhushan Gagrani, municipal commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Dr. Kailash Sharma, dean projects, academic, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and Smita Jatia, chairwoman, Ronald McDonald House India.
This home is all set to support families traveling to Mumbai from across Maharashtra and neighbouring states for their children’s medical journeys. Strategically located in Mahim (West), close to leading paediatric hospitals, the 3,200 square feet facility features 16 fully furnished private rooms and can support more than 500 families annually.
Families will be provided with complimentary accommodation, nutritious meals, hospital transport, counselling and 24/7 support from dedicated staff, enabling them to focus entirely on their child’s recovery. It will have shared amenities include a communal kitchen, play areas, and spaces designed to foster connection and comfort during the most difficult times.
Smita Jatiasaid, “This is truly a historic moment for us at the Ronald McDonald House. Since we began our journey with our first Family Room at the BJ Wadia Hospital in 2016, we have dreamed of opening a Ronald McDonald House in India. With this first house, we are turning that dream into reality, ensuring families find strength, comfort, and community when they need it most.”
Shelar said, “Being part of the BMC for years, I have seen the struggle that the patients and their families suffer. When we see many patients who travel from a long distance, from any part of rural Maharashtra, the kind of charges one has to pay to have a room is often unaffordable. We have seen many parents who block their space on the footpath by putting their belongings there, since there is no choice. This Ronald McDonald House is fulfilling this demand with magnanimity of heart and genuine kindness.”
Ronald McDonald House India sets its sights on an ambitious 2030 vision to establish three family rooms and five houses across five cities, transforming the healing journey for thousands more Indian families. The launch of India’s first Ronald McDonald House is not just about infrastructure, it is about creating spaces where families find hope, strength, and the power to heal together.
