Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – Among the terminally-ill (with cancer, AIDS, and other incurable diseases) are those patients in the last stages of their illness, which medicine has been unable to cure, and they approach the end of their lives. Many times, they are left alone and are unable to find people and institutions willing to accompany them. For all these sick, the Church in Cambodia has decided to dedicate its time and efforts and last year, in the capital city of Phnom Penh, it opened the Elizabeth Health Center, exclusively dedicated to serving these kinds of patients.
The service there is free of charge, as the patients are oftentimes beggars and vagabonds. It is a service that hopes to be a witness to Christian care of the poorest of the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no one to care for them, not even family or the state.
The Elizabeth Health Center was opened one year ago at Child Jesus Parish in the Beong Tompon neighborhood and its fame soon spread all over the country, from all over Cambodia patients came seeking assistance at the Center. The volunteers there work with a smile, with a spirit of profound care, unconditional love, always accompanied by a word of hope for these terminally-ill patients. Oftentimes the patients begin asking questions about the Catholic faith.
The structure now holds nearly 100 patients and is renowned by private citizens, public institutions, and Buddhist religious leaders for its manner of operation, founded on openness, mercy, and loving service. The hospital has begun thanks to the priests, religious, and laity of Child Jesus Parish and continues operating thanks to private donations and small individual donations from faithful, mainly in Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 31/7/2008)
