Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Asuncion (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Paraguay have made a call in regards to facing the health emergency that the country is now living through, due to epidemics of dengue and yellow fever. In March of last year, the Bishops admonished authorities, warning them “not to downplay the epidemic of dengue,” asking that the citizens “do everything in their power to fight the evil” of this disease. The current epidemic is one of common dengue, where “it is accompanied by the yellow fever, with possibilities of becoming another form of dengue that also causes hemorrhaging, and with devastating effects if there is not a rapid and effective treatment, if there is not a sufficient effort made to contain the disease.”
The Bishops denounce the fact that this epidemic of yellow fever has spread rapidly due to a disregard of the Public Health Department in the country, and they say that this situation has revealed “the lack of foresight, the irresponsibility and lack of planning by certain institutions, as well as carelessness in informing the public - all of which, have caused a situation of panic.” The Bishops recall that “Public Health is fundamentally a responsibility of the government,” that has the duty of “acting in an opportune and effective manner.” Thus, the Bishops say, “reacting with delays and in an inadequate manner, is a grave responsibility.”
However, there are also other institutions and people who also share the responsibility and disease prevention, the Bishops say, “greatly depends on our collaboration.” In fact these, as well as other diseases, could be controlled if there were an active participation on behalf of citizens in eliminating their causes. “Therefore,” the statement says, “there is a culture change needed, one that implies a commitment on the part of each citizen to work towards the common good, carrying out the part entrusted to him... With this attitude, we will be able to prevent disease and save human lives. This is a demand of Christian charity. Not to comply, constitutes a grave sin of omission.”
The statement concludes asking priests, religious, pastoral care providers, and lay faithful “to collaborate with all the means and resources in their reach in order to fight this evil,” especially in the area of a preventative education. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/2/2008; righe 29, parole 375)
