14th Congress of Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations

Presentation by Mr Nicholas W.F. Ng

Diocesan Commission for the Health Care of the Clergy and Religious

29 November 2008

Health Care Scheme for the Clergy and Religious

Size of the Clergy and Institutes Personnel (August 07)

Background

Priests of the Diocesan Clergy 69

Priests of Religious Institutes 228

Deacons 9

Institutes Brothers 66

Religious Sisters 516__

888 1

Age profile of the Diocesan Priests

Average Age 66.7

41 – 50 12%

51 – 60 28%

61 – 70 19%

71 – 80 23%

81 – 90 14%

91 – 100 4%

40%

60%

2

Similar pattern for religious congregations

Common to find members of the clergy and institutes having medical history of one sort or another. Increasing concern about health conditions with advancing age.

Ailing personnel receive treatment through our public and private medical systems

A lot more attention needs to be given to the preventive aspects of a healthy living regieme

3

The Catholic laity can contribute a lot to such programmes

– professional expertise– manpower– material support

Division of labour in the Church– the clergy and the religious contribute to the

spiritual needs of the lay members

– the laity contribute to the bodily needs of the clergy and the religious

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Diocesan Commission for the Health Care of the Clergy and Religious

Appointed by the Bishop in 2004

– to advise him on the needs and provisions of health care and retirement services for the clergy and the religious in the Diocese; and

– to co-ordinate the implementation of measures for such purposes

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Chaired by the Vicar-General with membership drawn from

representatives of the men and women religious institutes

the Guild of St. Luke, Ss. Cosmas & Damian, Hong Kong

the Hong Kong Catholic Nurses Guild

lay members

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Programme of Work

(a) Health Care

(i) Medical Support Scheme for Clergy Working in Parishes_____________________________

Priests in each parish are looked after by a dedicated team of one Catholic doctor and one Catholic nurse

Close contact through visits and personal contacts

7

A convenient and supplementary source of medical advice and support

Does not provide direct treatment but can make referral for medical treatment if needed

A close health support relationship with the priest, akin to a medical personnel in the family

8

(ii) Medical Advisory Team for the Religious

A team of senior Catholic doctors to provide information and advice for members of religious Communities

Can help make referral for specialist treatment if required

Pro-active support service, similar to the parish scheme, for selected Communities

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(iii) Support service

Medical record

Annual medical examination

Dental service

Influenza vaccination

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(b) Health Education

(i) Commission’s Website

http://www.healthnews.catholic.org.hk

(ii) Talks and discussion sessions by medical experts on medical topics and health care issues

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(c) General Support

(i) Visit programme by Legion of Mary for elderly clergy and religious in hospitals or old people’s home

(ii) Advisory Team on retirement facilities and services

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Assessment

(a) Positive response from priests and religious

(b) Increasing demand for help and service, particularly from religious communities; filling a much needed gap.

(c) Shortage of volunteers during working hours

(d) Need for strong administrative support

(e) Financial constraints

(f) Need for more long-term care facilities13