World Day of the Sick launched in V/R
The 23rd edition of the World Day of the Sick has been launched by the National Catholic Health Service at the St Anthony’s Hospital at Dzodze in the Ketu South District in the Volta Region.
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The theme for the celebration, “I was eyes to the blind and the feet to the lame”, focuses on the need to empathise with the sick.
In an address, the Director of the National Catholic Health Service, Mr George Adjei, said the church had elevated its mission in health care to the highest level by establishing a Pontifical Council for Health Workers in Rome to consciously raise, discuss and find solutions to issues in the world of the sick and suffering.
He said Ghana was equally alive to playing its role to promote the dignity of human beings and that leaders and managers of the National Catholic Health Service had started a new orientation to find new ways to promote teachings in health care in the rapidly changing environment.
Solidarity message
In a solidarity message on behalf of the regional directorate of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Lord Mensah congratulated the church for launching the event and expressed optimism that it would promote care of the sick and offer a platform for a change in attitude towards caring for the sick.
He also said the support, counselling and provision of necessary facilities, in addition to care and compassion, were great factors that contributed to improved recovery rate for the sick.
In a message delivered on his behalf, Pope Francis reminded the public that it was an act of wisdom to treat the sick as brothers and sisters, adding that service to the sick could become tiring and burdensome, especially when their ailments were protracted.
Show of passion to the sick
Pope Francis also said time must be devoted to showing passion and solidarity with the sick because time spent with the sick was holy time and that charity was not easily noticeable.
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Three health workers in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese were given citations and parcels.
The best worker went to Dr Nicholas Akakpo-Ashiadey of the Sacred Heart Hospital at Weme-Abor, who received a flat screen television set, with the second best worker award going to Dr Woedem Aku Tettey of St Anthony Hospital at Dzodze, who received a table-top refrigerator.
Madam Gertrude Danu, also of the St Anthony Hospital, received the third best worker award and was presented with a toaster.
Dr Akakpo-Ashiadey thanked the organisers for the recognition accorded them; those who helped them in their formative years, as well as their teammates.