Service to the Sick: A Ministry of Prime Importance
The Church, implanted in the culture and context of India, has
taken her ministry in the field of health care as primary one,
since fundamentally it is nothing but promoting life in its various
dimensions. Church is well aware that "The Gospel of Life
is at the heart of Jesus' message". As Pope John Paul II
explains: "The Church considers service to the sick as an
integral part of its mission".
The Church in Health Care Ministry in
India
The CBCI Commission for Health Care Apostolate
Evolving of Policies and Strategies
Ever since its inception, the Commission has been very active
in the health care initiatives. As a result of a long cherished
dream and often expressed plea, the Commission brought out "Health
Policy of the Church in India: Guidelines", in 1992. It beautifully
summarized the present situation of the healing ministry, future
orientations and process of implementation 'to help the total
person and the community in attaining and maintaining health'.
Health Education and Preventive Care
Health Education is the core of a healthy living. The Health
Commission therefore decided to give adequate thrust in the area
of education at all levels: grassroots, school and colleges/University.
The major initiatives were in the area of evolving policies and
strategies, teaching, research, extension and production of print
and audio-visuals. The book "The Comprehensive School Health
Programme: An Overview; Methodology; Suggested Curriculum"
was prepared by a team of experts. This curriculum is a `model
guide book' which can be adopted by Dioceses, Religious and Health-related
associations.
As a result of the demands received from some of the educational
institutions, the Health Commission brought out, "Prevention
of HIV/AIDS, A Text Book for Schools" which can be used by
our schools as well as other institutions for training purposes
of health care providers, social workers, etc.
In view of encouraging research of high standard and quality,
the development of programmes of study on subjects of direct interest
and relevance to the health and social welfare sectors of our
country, 'the CBCI-IGNOU Chair for Health and Social Welfare'
has been instituted at Indira Gandhi National Open University
on February 29, 2000. The first programme of study offered in
distant mode of learning is on "HIV and Family Education'.
Health care Ministry in the New Millennium
So far we have been briefly looking at the aims, objectives and
strategies of different Catholic National Health Associations
and Centers. But, we need to make a serious evaluation on the
health care ministry of the Church in India today. Are we truly
fulfilling our mission? Are the poor sick of our country receiving
proper health care and attention? How can we make our policies
and implementation strategies really effective? Implementation
of these following seven steps could be a response towards this.
1.
A shift in our attention: A major and immediate shift
should be made in favour of the poor, especially towards rural
areas and backward and vulnerable groups. Each human person, 'created
in the image and likeness of God' is a masterpiece. Everyone is
precious. Especially in the socio-economic-political context of
India, the Church's health care has to be diverted to the poor.
2.
A revision in our definition: health is to be seen in
a wider perspective. "Health is at the core of all human
development and needs to be understood in a broader sense to include
all aspects: physical, social, mental and spiritual. Therefore,
health would mean adequate food, housing, clean water, clean air,
good social milieu, and good social and interpersonal relationships.
In short, it means the satisfaction of ones basic needs: harmonious
relationships with one another, nature and God" .
3.
A change in our approach: We need to go beyond the curative
and preventive aspects of health care. We have to concentrate
on the community health care. It is enabling people to exercise
collectively their rights and responsibilities to attain and maintain
their health. We need to work towards increasing people's consciousness
and awareness building and health education. We focus on Community
Needs Assessment Approach (CNAA): it promotes decentralized, need-based
and participatory planning and a monitoring system that emphasizes
quality of care and community participation .
4.
A transformation in our strategy: Collaboration, networking,
tie up and advocacy in health issues are the need of the hour.
This is also important as the Church being a minority community.
This collaboration has to be carried out in different levels:
within the Church institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations;
Government Structures; participation with people's movements,
etc. Right implementation of govt. programmes for water, sanitation,
etc. can be done more effectively if this strategy is strong.
5.
Active promotion of alternative systems of health care:
We have a wealth of traditional systems of medicine in Homeopathy,
Ayurveda, Unani, siddha, etc. Other systems include naturopathy,
acupressure, and acupuncture. There are many effective home and
herbal remedies. There is also some health practices such as Yoga
.
6.
Health insurance for the poor: Though different Insurance
Companies propose various Health Insurance Schemes, still they
are mostly targeted to the medical needs of the affluent, or the
poor will not be able to cope up with the terms and conditions
of these schemes . The Health Insurance Scheme for the poor is
a need that could be worked out in collaboration with our Social
Service Societies and Health Institutions and NGOs.
7.
Emphasis on the spiritual aspect of health care: "Any
health assistance given to a person, in order to be effective,
it has to be integral and holistic. The health care facility
has to recognize the physiological, psychological, social and
spiritual needs of the person. The total good of the patients,
their families and the community should be the goal. The spiritual
needs, especially at times of crisis, has to be attended to".
Conclusion
Holy Father John Paul II, in his Apostolic Letter, Ecclesia in
Asia, wrote: "Following in the steps
of Jesus Christ who had compassion for all and cured "all
kinds of disease and illness" (Mt 9:35), the Church in Asia is committed to becoming
still more involved in the care of the sick, since this is a vital
part of her mission of offering the saving grace of Christ to
the whole person. Like the Good Samaritan of the parable (cf.
Lk 10:29-37), the Church wants to care for the sick and disabled
in concrete ways, especially where people are deprived of elementary
medical care as a result of poverty and marginalization"
. The Pope entitled his message for the World Day of the Sick
in the year 2001: Contemplate the face of Christ in sick".
Our faith becomes alive when we can perceive the presence of Christ
in the poor and the suffering.
