Indian Government Seeks Church Assistance In Health Initiative

The government of India seems to have embarked on its own version of faith-based initiatives, according to a report in today's Asia News. Anbumani Ramadoss, Health and Family Welfare Minister, during a speech on selective abortions and birth control, said that the government wishes to collaborate with leaders of Catholic and other religious communities to control disparity in the gender ratio and to upgrade the country’s health system. Fr. Alex Vadakumthala, secretary of the Health Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference commented, "The Indian government has launched a programme called Rural Health Mission in which they ask for the collaboration of the Church to improve health services in villages. We have said very clearly that we intend to collaborate with the government and non-governmental organizations only if Catholic morals and ethics are respected."