Parishes set up health care ministry

I encourage them to enlist and organize volunteers, to use digital technology, to partner with the LGU and the barangay health emergency response teams to reach out to people who are positive

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David has ordered all parishes in the diocese to form health care ministries in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Caloocan bishop made the announcement during the online launch of the St. Camillus Center for Humanization in Health.

The establishment of a health care ministry in each parish in the Diocese of Caloocan is in collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) and barangays to fully meet the needs of those who tested positive for the virus.

“I asked them to put up a health care ministry in every parish in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. I encourage them to enlist and organize volunteers, to use digital technology, to partner with the LGU and the barangay health emergency response teams to reach out to people who are positive, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, those quarantined at home and those in the quarantine facilities,” David said.

Part of the health care ministry is training in online monitoring of volunteers. This will allow them to help patients with the guidance of experts using modern and safe means.

Apart from online monitoring of symptoms, the ministry also aims to continue to care for patients, not only physically and psychologically, but also spiritually.

David added the diocese’s collaboration with LGU is to effectively address the needs of all parishioners in this time of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Caloocan bishop also expressed his support and praise for the St. Camillus Center for Humanization in Health of The Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (Camillians)-Philippine Province.

He said this is a timely step taken by the Camillians, especially in the midst of the pandemic when many are in need of medical attention and humanitarian response, especially in the health care system.