杏MAP导航

By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

鈥淭he pandemic has shown us the self-giving and generosity of health care workers, volunteers, support staff, priests, and religious men and women,鈥� says 杏MAP导航 Francis in his April prayer intention, released on Tuesday by the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 Worldwide Prayer Network.

Urging prayers for healthcare workers this month, the Holy Father addresses the healthcare systems in different countries, which have been put to the test by the health emergency.

The pandemic stress test

The Covid-19 pandemic has 鈥渆xposed the fact that not everyone has access to a good public healthcare system,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 notes.

According to 鈥淗ealth at a Glance 2021鈥� 鈥� a research by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - the inadequate situation of health care has had an impact on the care received by the sick, particularly the lack of healthcare workers which has been more limiting than the number of hospital beds or technical equipment.

The poorest and most vulnerable countries, 鈥渃annot access the necessary treatments to treat the countless diseases they continue to suffer," the 杏MAP导航 laments, pointing out that this is often 鈥渄ue to poor resource management and a lack of serious political commitment.鈥�

The Holy Father, therefore, calls on the governments of all the countries of the world 鈥渘ot to forget that good healthcare, accessible to all, is a priority.鈥�

The sacrifice of healthcare workers

杏MAP导航 Francis reminds all that healthcare is 鈥渘ot just an organization,鈥� but rather depends 鈥渙n men and women who dedicate their lives to taking care of other people鈥檚 health.鈥�

In such a difficult situation, many health care workers, 鈥渉ave given their lives during this pandemic to help so many sick people recover.鈥�

The Holy Father then urged the faithful to pray for health care workers who serve the sick and the elderly, especially in the poorest countries.

鈥淢ay they be adequately supported by governments and local communities,鈥� he said.

杏MAP导航鈥檚 closeness to the sick and those who care for them

In a press release accompanying the 杏MAP导航 video, Fr. Frederic Fornos SJ, international director of the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 Worldwide Prayer Network notes that this month鈥檚 intention is dedicated to health care workers who attend to the sick, the elderly and the most vulnerable 鈥� people that the Holy Father is very attentive to.

Fr. Fornos highlights that the pandemic has shown that health care systems and workers are essential for society.

鈥淭he 杏MAP导航 asks that they be supported with greater resources, especially in countries that have a fragile health care system; otherwise, we will experience 鈥榦ther pandemics,鈥�" said Fr. Fornos. 鈥淟et us entrust this prayer intention to the Lord and take appropriate action.鈥�