Speech delivered at the Anglican Diocese Meeting of Ministers at the st. Georges Cathedral Church by the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mrs. Abator Thomas.
Distinguished Clergy men and women of our beloved country, I greet you all in the name of our Lord God Almighty.
Today, I am very much elated for this singular honour you have accorded me by giving me the privilege to talk to you.
The title of this short talk is THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH.
This is a very wide topic but it is something I have longed to talk about especially after listening the Sermon in this cathedral during our last Medical Sunday Service. During that service I realized that there is a lot the clergy and my Ministry can do together to enhance the health and well being of our brothers and sisters in the country especially in information sharing between these two entities as well as with the population at large.
Let me start by giving a general definition of the term Public Health: Public Health is promoting health, preventing disease, and prolonging life through the organized efforts of society. Vaccination programmes, community sensitization, distribution of mosquito nets and condoms, effective garbage collection and promoting exclusive breast feeding are all examples of public health measures. The purpose of public health intervention is to prevent rather than to treat a disease through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behaviors.
The active participation of the church in public health enhances community involvement and participation especially in the promotive and preventive aspects of health by linking health activities with various church activities. For instance the church should be aware of the various health activities that are planned in the community like the National Polio Campaign, distribution of mosquito nets, campaign for exclusive breast feeding, Tetanus vaccination, keeping the city clean etc. Health activities should be regularly mentioned during various services and church meetings as concerns of the church. When volunteers are required in health activities, again members, especially youths and young adults and even priests should be encouraged to come forward and be part of the exercise.
The church can be a major constructive force for community health if its preaching, and its several outreach activities include public health issues and concerns in the community.
To effectively involve the church in community public health programme, there is need for proper and adequate orientation of the clergy. Such individuals will be a major link between both public health and religious dimensions of community life. How can all these be achieved ?
The onus is for the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to take the initiative to involve the church in health activities from the planning stage right through to implementation of the following:
- Representatives to Boards and Advisory Committees of local community health programmes
- Support the participation of priests in community health in-service training programmes
- Support local and general church programmes related to community health including exploration with leaders for the development of such programmes
Distinguished clergy men and women, now you have seen that your role in public health service promotion is very vital and can therefore not be over emphasized.
If our country Sierra Leone should achieve the millennium development goals especially those related to health, within the set target period, then your involvement and participation in public health services promotion is an absolute must, and is urgently needed.
My Ministry and our health development partners will do our level best to ensure that your participation in public health services promotion is encouraged and supported.
I thank you all for your attention.
