SINGAPORE – Catholic nurses from parts of Asia will be gathering in Singapore in September to discuss how they can move together to forge innovations in nursing practice, research and education.
Bringing them together is the 10th Asian Regional CICAMS Conference, which has been held every four years in the region.
CICIAMS represents the International Committee of Catholic Nurses and Medical-Social Assistants; it works closely with the Holy See and all international Catholic organisations. The aim of CICIAMS is to promote respect for the Catholic Church teachings on the dignity and sanctity of all human life within the healthcare programme and practices of care.
This year’s conference, being held in Singapore for the second time since 1985, is organised by the Catholic Nurses Guild. Between 300 and 350 foreign delegates are expected to fly in, said Mrs Theresa Cheong, president of the Catholic Nurses Guild.
The theme of the Sep 3-5 conference is “Embracing Holistic Healthcare through Practice, Research and Education”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo will be the Guest-Of-Honour during the opening ceremony, with Archbishop Nicholas Chia, patron of the Catholic Nurses Guild, present too.
Topics to be covered during the conference include:
• Spiritual and Existential Needs of Patients with a Terminal Illness (Mr Denis Strangman, Australia)
• Adjustment and Responsiveness to Stress of the Elderly (A/P Suwanna Anusanti, Thailand)
• Mental Health: Reaching to the Community (Ms Catherine Chua, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore)
• Educating the Nurse in the 21st Century (Professor Sally Chan, NUS, and Ms Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Singapore)
• Medical Advancements and its Impact on the Nurse in the 21st Century (A/P Geraldine Prema K., Singapore)
• Ethical Issues for Carers (Father David Garcia, OP)
The Catholic Nurses Guild is active within the Singapore Archdiocese, being involved in areas such as befriending outreach services to AIDS sufferers housed at CARE, training domestic helpers in healthcare for ACMI, manning the free clinic at Church of the Risen Christ, organising pastoral care workshops, and assisting in organising Masses for the sick.
“Spirituality in the nursing profession is very important because nursing is about caring with love and passion,” said Mrs Cheong, who has been with the Guild since 1980 and is president for the sixth year now.
The CNG is welcoming and inviting all retired and active Catholic nurses to join in the CICIAMS Conference.
To attract more participation, the registration fee has been revised from $350 to $150.
Those interested to help the Catholic Nurses Guild raise funds to financially support foreign delegates from poorer countries, especially Spiritual Directors and nuns, may contact Mrs Cheong (9236 1047, theresa_cheong@easb.edu.sg).
More information about the Conference available at www.cngs.com.sg
By Joyce Gan
joycegan@catholic.org.sg
