杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

鈥淎 world that discards the sick, which does not assist those who cannot afford treatment, is cynical and has no future.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis stressed this point when meeting on Monday with members of the Italian National Federation of Radiographers and of the Technical Medical Rehabilitation and Prevention Professions.

Dedication during Covid-19 pandemic

In his address, the 杏MAP导航 thanked healthcare technologists, along with other healthcare workers, for their 鈥渃ommitment and dedication鈥�.

He noted that without their hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic, many sick people would have not been treated in the past three years.

Culture of care vs. culture of waste

Looking ahead to the World Day of the Sick to be observed on 11 February, 杏MAP导航 Francis said the occurrence offers an opportunity to reflect on the experience of illness, which, he said, 鈥渋s all the more appropriate today, indeed necessary, because often 鈥渢he culture of efficiency and waste pushes us to deny it.鈥�

He remarked that the culture of care operates in the opposite way, focusing on the Good Samaritan whose example we should follow.

杏MAP导航 Francis further highlighted the human dimension of healthcare.

He praised the Italian healthcare technologists for putting the human person in all his dimensions (physical, mental and spiritual) at the centre of their work, not giving in 鈥渢o sterile efficiency or to a cold application of protocols.鈥�

Human dimension at the centre

鈥淪ick people are people who ask to be treated and to feel cared for, and for this reason it is important to relate to them with humanity and empathy,鈥� he stressed.

He also recalled that healthcare professionals are also people who need 鈥渟omeone to take care of them鈥�, through recognizing their service, protecting suitable working condition, and employing an adequate number of healthcare workers.

Health is not a luxury

The 杏MAP导航 thus reiterated his call for States to find 鈥渟trategies and resources鈥� in order to guarantee everyone鈥檚 fundamental right to basic and decent healthcare, as called for in his Message for the XXXI World Day of the Sick.

鈥淗ealth," he stressed, "is not a luxury!鈥�

Wrapping up his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged Italian healthcare technologists to 鈥渁lways look at ethical values 鈥嬧�媋s an indispensable reference鈥� for their professions.

"If well assimilated and combined with scientific knowledge and the necessary skills," he said, "ethical values allow you to accompany the people entrusted to you in the best possible way."