Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

A SOCIOLOGICAL APPRAISAL OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTH APOSTOLATE OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF GBOKO, BENUE STATE-NIGERIA

Erdoo Akighir

Abstract

The failure of governments to provide functional and affordable healthcare services to all especially the poor and the vulnerable in the society prompted the Roman Catholic Church to venture into health apostolate as a way of evangelizing. This paper therefore, has sociologically appraised the philosophy of health apostolate of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko of Benue State. The study used a purposive sampling technique to select eight Catholic health institutions for the investigation. The study used both primary and secondary data for the investigation and the data were analyzed using both historical, descriptive and analytical techniques such as tables and simple percentages. The study found that, the Catholic Diocese in line with the Jesus' healing ministry has established 28 health institutions that provide a variety healthcare services to the people at affordable cost; and these health facilities have employed 398 staff who earn incomes for a living. The study however, found that, these health facilities are faced with challenges such as: lack of funds, insecurity challenges, lack of infrastructural facilities, poor payment attitude of treated clients among others. The study concluded that, the Catholic Diocese of Gboko has immensely contributed to healthcare service delivery in the area. On the basis of these findings, the study has recommended that, to overcome the financial challenges in the health facilities, the diocese should set up Diocesan healthcare trust fund and health endowment fund for the poor and the vulnerable among other recommendations.

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