By Modupe Gbadeyanka
World Council of Churches (WCC) says it is starting the process of developing a Global Ecumenical Health Strategy, following the legacy of churches’ high profile in health care and mission historically.
According to Dr Mwai Makoka, WCC programme executive for Health and Healing, “Standing at the threshold of the Sustainable Development Goals, (we) believe it is time for the church to reaffirm the role it has played over centuries as leader in global health, and to consolidate efforts towards health and healing for all.”
Mr Makoka said further that “The church has been engaged in health services for centuries,” insisting that through the years that there is a “unique Christian understanding of health and healing which should shape the way churches provide healthcare.”
He added that, “The church realised and affirmed early, that health is more than medicine, more than physical and or mental well-being, and that healing is not primarily medical.”
It was gathered that this initiative will start in Maseru, Lesotho, on February 27, 2017, in connection with the 8th biennial conference of the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform. The event is expected to bring together church leaders from Africa, heads of African Christian health associations and church organisations from Europe and the USA.
A second consultation will follow on May 24 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, drawing participation from many churches, as well as several UN and other organisations.
“The WCC remains steadfast in its commitment to health and healing for all, and has recently reaffirmed that health and healing were a central feature of Jesus’ ministry and of his call to his followers,” Mr Makoka concludes.
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