14th Congress of Asian Federation
of Catholic Medical Associations
Presentation by Mr Nicholas W.F. Ng
Diocesan Commission for the Health Care of the
Clergy and Religious
29 November 2008
Health Care Scheme for the Clergy and Religious
Background

Size of the Clergy and Institutes Personnel (August 07)
Priests of the Diocesan Clergy
69
Priests of Religious Institutes
228
Deacons
Institutes Brothers
Religious Sisters
9
66
516__
888
1

Age profile of the Diocesan Priests
Average Age
66.7
41 – 50
12%
51 – 60
61 – 70
28%
19%
71 – 80
23%
81 – 90
14%
91 – 100
4%
40%
60%
2

Similar pattern for religious congregations

Common to find members of the clergy and
institutes having medical history of one sort or
another. Increasing concern about health
conditions with advancing age.

Ailing personnel receive treatment through our
public and private medical systems

A lot more attention needs to be given to the
preventive aspects of a healthy living regieme
3

The Catholic laity can contribute a lot to such
programmes
– professional expertise
– manpower
– material support

Division of labour in the Church
– the clergy and the religious contribute to the
spiritual needs of the lay members
– the laity contribute to the bodily needs of the
clergy and the religious
4
Diocesan Commission for the Health Care of the
Clergy and Religious

Appointed by the Bishop in 2004
– to advise him on the needs and provisions
of health care and retirement services for
the clergy and the religious in the Diocese;
and
– to co-ordinate the implementation of
measures for such purposes
5

Chaired by the Vicar-General with membership
drawn from

representatives of the men and women
religious institutes

the Guild of St. Luke, Ss. Cosmas & Damian,
Hong Kong

the Hong Kong Catholic Nurses Guild

lay members
6
Programme of Work
(a)
Health Care
(i)
Medical Support Scheme for Clergy Working
in Parishes_____________________________

Priests in each parish are looked after by a
dedicated team of one Catholic doctor and one
Catholic nurse

Close contact through visits and personal
contacts
7

A convenient and supplementary source of
medical advice and support

Does not provide direct treatment but can make
referral for medical treatment if needed

A close health support relationship with the
priest, akin to a medical personnel in the family
8
(ii)
Medical Advisory Team for the Religious

A team of senior Catholic doctors to provide
information and advice for members of religious
Communities

Can help make referral for specialist treatment if
required

Pro-active support service, similar to the parish
scheme, for selected Communities
9
(iii)
Support service

Medical record

Annual medical examination

Dental service

Influenza vaccination
10
(b)
Health Education
(i) Commission’s Website
http://www.healthnews.catholic.org.hk
(ii) Talks and discussion sessions by medical
experts on medical topics and health care
issues
11
(c)
General Support
(i) Visit programme by Legion of Mary for
elderly clergy and religious in hospitals or
old people’s home
(ii) Advisory Team on retirement facilities and
services
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Assessment
(a)
Positive response from priests and religious
(b)
Increasing demand for help and service,
particularly from religious communities; filling a
much needed gap.
(c)
Shortage of volunteers during working hours
(d)
Need for strong administrative support
(e)
Financial constraints
(f)
Need for more long-term care facilities
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