In the days 16 to 18 November in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall the 32nd International Conference on “Addressing Global Health Inequalities”, organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integra Human Development, in collaboration with the International Confederation of Catholic Health-Care Institutions (C.I.I.S.A.C.).

The conference aims to examine the theme of the inequalities, still present in the world, with regard to health care service, addressing various challenges in the health care sector: the construction of an economic system serving the person and a more just and inclusive society; the possibility of activating personalized assistance not only for the patient, but also for his or her family; the impact of pharmaceutical innovation and access to essential medicines for all; the issues of bioethics and the protection of the right to life of every person; the capacity for hospital management to reconcile efficiency and closeness to the poorest and most in need. Special sessions will be dedicated to the ecclesial mission in the fields of assistance, and to the relationship between evangelization and health pastoral care and the charity of Catholic healthcare institutions.

During the conference, the official inauguration by His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin will be followed by interventions by Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and also the introductory talks by Dr. Christopher M. Dye, director of Strategy, Policy and Information of the World Health Organization, on the theme of healthcare inequalities in world epidemiology, and by Dr. Anthony Tersigni, president of the (C.I.I.S.A.C.), as well as president and CEO of Ascension, who will present the activity of Catholic hospitals in combating medical inequalities. Further interventions will be given by, among others: Cardinal Jean Zerbo, metropolitan archbishop of Bamako; Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, metropolitan archbishop of Agrigento; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila and president of Caritas Internationalis; Cardinal William Jacobus Eljk, metropolitan archbishop of Utrecht; Cardinal Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio in Syria; and Dr. Stefano Vella, president of AIFA.

The conference will also be attended by the heads of Catholic hospital structures from various parts of the world, delegates from charitable bodies and humanitarian organizations long engaged in medical assistant, representatives of the private, corporate and banking sectors. Greetings are anticipated from the Minister of Health of the Italian Republic, the Hon. Beatrice Lorenzin.

On Thursday 16 November at 7.30 a Eucharistic celebration will be held at the Altar of the Cathedra of the Basilica of Saint Peter, presided over by Cardinal Turkson.