Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - An evening event devoted to solidarity has been organised for Friday 26 November on the Tiber Island at the St John of God Hospital by the Order’s press office on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of AFMAL - St John of God Brothers Association for Distant Sick Persons.
The evening will be dedicated to Africa and the proceedings will go to the St John of God Hospital Dalal-Wel in Fatik, Senegal, the only African hospital specialised in mental disorders which are a serious emerging problem for healthcare and for society in general in Africa. People with these disorder are excluded from society because mental problems are associated with magic and diabolic practices as well as being considered not curable and unimportant from the healthcare point of view. Fatik Hospital is a point of reference Senegal: it has 30 beds and also day hospital service for outpatients with less serious conditions. The hospital also helps families with rehabilitation and reintegration. The hospital’s qualified staff is regularly supervised by a university psychiatrist. The hospital also trains Brothers for healthcare.
The evening concert will be completed with testimony from Brothers working in Africa and at the St John of God Hospital to demonstrate the Order’s lively spirit of mission and solidarity. Africa will also be the subject of a documentary film to be shown: “the pomegranate beyond magic” which will offer a glimpse of local culture and hospital care through the experience of the St John of God Brothers. (AP) (25/11/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:24 Parole:281)
