Programme
and texts
of the Congress
Website: http://www.fiamc.org
TEXTS OF THE CONGRESS
| THE MISSION OF THE CATHOLIC IN THE 3rd MILLENIUM: |
| The Doctor is part of a team of professional and voluntary workers who take care of the health of the population. Health today is not merely the absence of disease or infinity but a condition of physical, mental, social and environmental well-being &endash; and for the catholic Doctor spiritual well being as well. The medical profession has for years been guided by principles contained in the Hippocratic oath, the Catholic doctor is also guided by ethical principles of the Church. The doctor has his mission cut out for him in the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of human health and also a constant research in the various conditions that affect human health and thus eliminate disease. Health care involves an interpersonal relationship of a special kind: a meeting between trust and conscience. The 'trust' of those who are ill and suffering who entrust themselves to the 'conscience' of another who can help them in their need and who comes to their assistance to care for them and cure them. The health profession is more a vocation and for the Catholic doctor, if animated by truly Christian spirit, will more easily become aware of the demanding missionary dimension of their profession whici requires of them nothing less than complete commitment. The Catholic Doctor in the developing countries faces a number of dilemmas to his practice. The rapid advances in medicine in the last 4 or 5 decades have left them with a knowledge gap. Where the doctor has acquired knowledge, and skill himself outside, he often does not have the equipment and researches for practice. In many instance even basic equipment and drugs are not available. Doctors in developing countries still have to deal many diseases that either do not exist in the developing countries or have been completely eradicated. Many examples readily come to mind &endash; malaria, tuberculosis, infectious diseases, high level of maternal mortality and now the dreaded HIV/AIDS whici is taking a high toll in or countries. In nearly all developing countries, conditions of service are so poor that personal survival becomes a problem. Set against this is the pull factor: attraction for greener pastures in the more developed countries. The latter continues to reduce the number of doctors and other health professionals such as nurses to care for their people who are in dire need of health care. The resulting scenario in the developing countries is an overworked, overburdened doctor who has an inner desire to save the people and offer the best quality care but unable to do so. All told the Catholic in developing countries faces a difficult situation in which to see their work as a vacation. |
