Rome (Fides Service) – The Italian Religious Association of Social-Health Institutes ARIS is marking 40 years of activity. Representatives of government, the Catholic Church and local health bodies met to discuss the present situation and the future of the large part of health-care services run by religious congregations. More than a ceremony therefore, this was an opportunity to elaborate and expose a programmatic platform able to overcome difficulties, contradictions and the uncertainties of Italy’s national health system which affect the 300 health-care and assistance centre members of ARIS.
ARIS represents a relevant component of public-private non profit institutes: hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, centres of rehabilitation, etc. All together they offer 40,000 beds (about 16.500 in hospitals and 24,000 elsewhere). In these Catholic health centres all over Italy, patients are cared for by 5.415 doctors 31.224 nursing and other staff.
“This fortieth anniversary – said ARIS President Friar Pietro Cicinelli – far from being a point of arrival is a point of departure to meet the challenges ever-present in health care and in particular in health-care offered by religious ”.
With regard to present economic difficulties which curb the country and which local administration has to face with cuts in health-care and social assistance, Friar Cicinelli said: “It is precisely times such as these which emphasise the spirituality which animates our structures able to carry on for love of the person entrusted to their care. It is indispensable to find a balance between state, market and non profit, three poles in synergy and with equal dignity ”.
(AP) (25/11/2003 Fides Service; lines:30 words:332)