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 Clergy69 Priests of Religious Institutes228 Deacons9 Institutes Brothers66 Religious Sisters 516__ 888 1

Age profile of the Diocesan Priests Average Age – 5012% 51 – 6028% 61 – 7019% 71 – 8023% 81 – 9014% 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 4

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 5

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 6

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 9

(iii) Support service Medical record Annual medical examination Dental service Influenza vaccination 10

(b) Health Education (i) Commission’s Website (ii)Talks and discussion sessions by medical experts on medical topics and health care issues 11

(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 12

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 facilities 13