Global Health Disparities being addressed

From 16 to 18 November 2017 in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, the XXXII International Conference entitled Addressing Global Health Disparities will take place.  This gathering is organized by the Dicastery for Integral Human Development in collaboration with the International Confederation of Catholic Health Institutions (CIISAC).

The conference aims to deepen the theme of disparity, all the more present in the world, with regard to health services, the decline in various health challenges: construction of an economic system and services for people and for society which are more just and inclusive; the ability to activate personal assistance not only for the patient, but also for his or her family; the impact of pharmaceutical innovations and access to essential medicines for everyone; bioethical implications and care for the rights of every person to life; the capacity of hospital management to efficiently counsel and closeness to those who are in need and to the poor.  Special sessions will be dedicated to the ecclesial mission in the field of assistance, and to the relationship between evangelization and pastoral care for health workers and for Catholic Health Organizations.

During the convention, after the official opening presented by His Eminence, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for Health; there will be a speech by Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, some articles written by Doctor Christopher M. Dye, Director of Strategy, Policy and Information at the World Health Organization on the theme of health disparities in world epidemiology and by Doctor Anthony Tersigni, President of CIISAC, and President and CEO of Ascension, who will present the activities of the Catholic hospitals in contrast to medial disparities.  Interventions will be made by: Cardinal Jean Zerbo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamako; Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, Metropolitan Archbishop of Agrigento; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and President of Caritas Internationalis; Cardinal William Jacobus Eijk, Metropolitan Archbishop of Utrecht; Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria; and Doctor Stefano Vella, President of AIFA.

Also present will be some leaders of Catholic hospitals from various parts of the world, delegates from charitable and humanitarian organizations who have always been involved with medical care, private, corporate and banking representatives.  The Italian Minister of Health, the Honourable Beatrice Lorenzin is expected to offer greetings.

On Thursday, November 16 at 7:30am, Cardinal Turkson will preside at the celebration of a Mass at the Altar of the Chair inside the Vatican Basilica.