Health care and the global community

Catholic health systems and facilities, to fulfill their commitment to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, are called to serve society's most poor and vulnerable people. This calling applies to people in need not only locally but also internationally. Individuals and organizations providing aid in foreign lands will face many challenges. Yet if they believe that they can use their expertise to benefit people in need, they can accomplish their goals. Some guiding principles are instructive for those undertaking international outreach efforts: Partners must commit themselves to a common mission; the effort must focus on empowering aid recipients; participants in the effort-donors and recipients alike-can experience transformation; and health and well-being must be central to the work. The Catholic Consortium for International Health Services (CCIHS) has experience in following these principles to bring about change. The consortium can help ministry organizations achieve their international outreach goals.