Holy See: Catholic Church key provider of healthcare
The Holy See on Wednesday advocated for affordable, universal health coverage at the
65th World Health Assembly in Geneva. However, the Church reminded the
Assembly the role of the private sphere cannot be ignored.
“At the level of
each single nation, the progress towards universal coverage cannot be the effort of
the state machinery alone,” said Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, head of the Holy See
Delegation. “It requires support from the civil society and communities, whose contribution
to health service delivery is fundamental.”
Archbishop Zimowski, who serves
as the President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers,
said the Catholic Church one of the key partners in healthcare delivery, especially
in the developing world. He told the Assembly that religiously-affiliated healthcare
workers should be allowed to follow their consciences as they provide care.
“The
efforts and contribution of such organizations and institutions towards universal
access, merit the recognition and support of both the State and the International
Community, without obliging them to participate in activities they find morally abhorrent,”
he said.
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Intervention of the Holy See Delegation
to the 65th World Health Assembly 21-26 May 2012,
Geneva, Switzerland
Madame President,
1. My delegation, in conjunction
with other delegations, wishes to reaffirm the Resolution on Sustainable health financing
structures and universal coverage (WHA64.9), which among others urges member States
to aim for affordable universal coverage and access for all citizens on the basis
of equity and solidarity. As Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes, “in the health-care sector
too, which is an integral part of everyone’s life and of the common good, it is important
to establish a real distributive justice which, on the basis of objective needs, guarantees
adequate care to all. Consequently, if it is not to become inhuman, the world of health
care cannot disregard the moral rules that must govern it.”
The goal of the
International Community is to enable everyone to access health services without running
the risk of financial hardship in doing so (WHA58.33). Despite the progress made in
some countries, we are still a long way from this target. There is need therefore
for greater commitment at all levels in order to ensure that the right to health care
is rendered effective by furthering access to basic health care. In this regard, the
Holy See delegation supports the integration of universal coverage in high-level meetings
related to health or social development, as well as its inclusion as a priority in
the global development agenda.
At the recent Forum on Universal Health Coverage
held in Mexico City, on 2 April, 2012, it was noted that more countries, especially
those with emerging economies, are moving towards universal coverage, and this is
very encouraging. The results obtained in these countries are not simply a fruit of
financial resources; it has been observed that good policies that promote equity have
guaranteed better health for a greater number of citizens in these countries. Therefore
my delegation strongly believes that in the endeavor to promote universal coverage,
fundamental values such as equity, human rights and social justice need to become
explicit policy objectives.
2. Secondly, Madame President, it has been shown
by both low and middle-income countries that progress towards universal coverage is
not the prerogative of high-income countries. Nevertheless, most low-income countries
need the support of the international community, especially of high-income countries
and other development partners, in order to overcome the funding shortfalls in health.
The Holy See delegation therefore wishes to reiterate the call for greater global
solidarity and commitment in development assistance for health. Evoking the words
of the Holy Father, “more economically developed nations should do all they can to
allocate larger portions of their gross domestic product to development aid, thus
respecting the obligations that the international community has undertaken in this
regard.”
3. Lastly, at the level of each single nation, the progress towards
universal coverage cannot be the effort of the state machinery alone. It requires
support from the civil society and communities, whose contribution to health service
delivery is fundamental. In this regard States should, “in accordance with the principle
of subsidiarity, generously acknowledge and support initiatives arising from the different
social forces and combine spontaneity with closeness to those in need.” Faith-based
organizations and Church-sponsored healthcare institutions, inspired by Charity, are
part of those living forces in the healthcare field.
With over 120,000 social
and healthcare institutions world-wide, the Catholic Church is in many developing
countries, one of the key partners of the State in healthcare delivery, providing
services in remote areas to rural low-income populations, enabling them to access
services that would otherwise be out of their reach. The efforts and contribution
of such organizations and institutions towards universal access, merit the recognition
and support of both the State and the International Community, without obliging them
to participate in activities they find morally abhorrent. Thus Pope Benedict XVI asks
“international agencies to acknowledge them and to offer them assistance, respecting
their specific character and acting in a spirit of collaboration.”
Thank you,
Madame President, and God bless you all.
Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski
Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the 65th World Health Assembly