Health & HIV

Deliver health care and promote ethical and just health policies and practices

Without good health people cannot reach their full human potential. Their country’s economy cannot grow.

Caritas delivers health care to people who need it in both emergency and day-to-day situations. Caritas groups build the capacities of local communities to prevent the onset of illness and provide medicines and other life-saving supplies for treatment programmes.

The Catholic Church itself is one of the biggest global health providers. It runs thousands of hospitals and dispensaries as well as houses for people who are elderly, chronically ill or who have physical or learning disabilities.

Caritas also promotes ethical and just health policies and practices through advocacy at organisations such as UNAIDS and the World Health Organization.

Since 1987, Caritas has prioritized efforts in response to the pandemic of HIV and AIDS. More than 100 members of the Caritas Confederation are engaged in providing value-based prevention education, treatment, care and support to people living with or affected by HIV in all parts of the world. It advocates with governments, international organisations and drug companies for universal access to cost-effective and suitable medicines.

“Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

Caritas updates on Health & HIV

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How Caritas works on Health & HIV

Caritas campaigns for better access to health care, focusing its efforts in the 4 key areas of preventing and treating HIV and AIDS, combating tuberculosis, curtailing non-communicable diseases and preparing for a possible influenza pandemic. Learn more.