On 16 - 18 November a large delegation of Brothers and Co-workers of the Hospitaller Order from numerous European countries and from Canada and Latin America are taking part in the work of the 32nd International Conferenceon “Addressing Global Health Inequalities”, organised by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in conjunction with the International Confederation of Catholic Health-Care Institutions (C.I.I.S.A.C.).

The conference sets out to examine the issue of the inequalities, still present in the world, with regard to health care services, addressing various challenges in the health care sector: the construction of an economic system serving the person and a more just and inclusive society; the possibility of activating personalised care not only for the patient, but also for their loved ones; the impact of pharmaceutical innovation and universal access to essential medicines; the issues of bioethics and the protection of the right to life of every person; the ability of hospital management to reconcile efficiency and closeness to the poorest and most in need. Special sessions will be dedicated to the Church’s mission in different areas of care, and to the relationship between evangelisation and the pastoral care of the sick and the practice of charity by Catholic healthcare institutions.

The conference was officially inauguration by His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, followed by an address by Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The delegation of the Hospitaller Order was accompanied by numerous officials from Catholic hospitals in various parts of the world and delegates of charitable and humanitarian organisations engaged in the provision of medical care, representing the private, corporate and banking sectors.