Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – Despite the hostility of former regimes, wars with related military occupation, damage due to earthquakes, the activity of the Catholic Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth run by the St John of God Hospitaller Brothers, is highly appreciated by the people of Nazareth and the surrounding villages who come for treatment whatever their religion. For over 120 years the 109 bed hospital has treated more than 50,000 patients every year, resident patients, emergency cases and surgery service. It gives work to many people and is one of the main economic resources in the area.
Although the situation in Israel is very difficult, terror and hatred take many lives and damage the economy, particularly resources assigned to healthcare, the hospital carries on with its work offering many health-services not found at other hospitals in the Arab part of Israel. General Director Giuseppe Fraizzoli says people feel at home at Holy Family which is more than a hospital. It is a concrete example that people of different race or religions can live and work together peacefully and in harmony. Day in day out without discrimination or hatred Israelis and Arabs, Jews and Muslims and Christians work together to care for the sick. (AP) (10/12/2003 Fides Service; lines:21 words:232)
