CATHOLIC MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA

10^TH ANNIVERSARY/SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA -COMMUNIQUE

The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN) met at Sacred Heart Pastoral Centre, Jos for the 10^th anniversary and International Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting on 8^th to 12^th July, 2015. The theme was “Technological advances in medicine and Catholic doctrine”. The opening ceremony was by His Grace the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Rev Dr Ignatius Ayau Kaigama. The opening Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Prof. Cletus Tanimu Gotan assisted by many other priests. Delegates from branches of the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria across Nigeria attended the conference, the theme of which was reflected on in the lectures presented.

The conference concluded:

· That life is precious and at any level must be upheld and enhanced as much as possible to the glory of God. That as catholic medical practitioners we are great partners in this mission, “THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE”. We totally identify with Archbishop Kaigama and the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria(CBCN) who enjoined Catholic medical practitioners to continue volunteering in this mission of saving and dignifying life in this “Year of Mercy” declared by Pope Francis. This mission must begin with the Catholic medical practitioner in his home, place of work and in the world at large.

· The Catholic Church has a duty and must continue to encourage good governance, and increase moral values to effect political stability, steady economic development and a corruption free society.

· The Catholic Church remains the largest non-governmental provider of health care services in the world and in Nigeria. The Church is positioning itself to re-examine its strategy and rekindle its zeal to capture emerging technological advances in health care at the upcoming Catholic Church health summit.