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Dr Mwai Makoka, WCC programme executive for health and healing, as an advisor to the steering committee, attended an October meeting in Hong Kong under the theme Trust, Hope, and Confidence: Equipping Anglicans in Health.”

This first in-person meeting offered space for the steering committee to reflect and discuss health matters, in a post-COVID era, and in the context of world conflicts, resource scarcity, and public health crises. 

The network connects, prepares, and equips Anglicans to provide healthcare, accompany the sick, and advocate for equitable healthcare based on both trust in science and hope in God.

Across the Anglican communion, there is a vast amount of health-related technical expertise and experience. Provinces, dioceses, organisations, and networks not only manage health facilities but also undertake healthcare in local communities through health projects, networks such as the Mothers’ Union, local congregations, and volunteers. Churches also serve to facilitate greater access to health care provided by the state.

The network was launched on World Health Day in 2021. Makoka reflected that the network resonates with the WCC Health-Promoting Churches model, which seeks to mobilise and empower churches as healing communities by providing health education, practical action, advocacy, and empowerment for public witness.