NEWS

Meeting of Major Superiors and Dioceses in Guinea Conakry from 28 January to 7 February 2022

 

 

 

Sister Dena visited five countries: Mauritania, Mali, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso and Togo to meet the leaders of the groups and the local ecclesiastical authorities.

 

Visit to Nouakchott – Mauritania

 

A diocesan meeting is held once a year at the same time with the Bishop, Monsignor Martin Happe. It was a first to meet the pastoral agents of the diocese of Nouakchott. From very diverse backgrounds, it was necessary to focus on the care areas, the options, the care network, the Social Fund, the Commission for the reduction of contributions and above all the constitution of files to be better reimbursed.

 

 

 

 

Visit to Mali Bamako-Ségou-San from 6 to 14 January 2022

 

A meeting took place with each group leader and allowed them to work mainly on the extranet, on possible questions concerning the constitution of files, on care not covered by the IMS, the care zones and the care network. This led to proposals for an agreement with the hospitals in the dioceses of Ségou-San. The diocese of San has a new bishop, Mgr Hassa Florent Koné. The Episcopal Ordination took place on 8 and 9 January 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit to Guinea Conakry

On 29 January the meeting of Major Superiors was held in Conakry, bringing together the indigenous and international Congregations. This was a first. It was rich in exchanges, especially for the Congregations who were getting to know the IMS and its evolution for the first time. The care network is very welcome for the members, it is a great relief. The extranet is appreciated by those who are used to computers.

The dioceses of Conakry and Kankan were visited. Training was given on the extranet and on the whole evolution of the IMS. The diocese of Kankan, which had left the IMS, returned.

 

 

 

 

Visit to Burkina Faso 18 – 24 February

 

This visit was on three levels.

 

1- Meeting with the Episcopal Conference of Bishops of Burkina – Niger in the diocese of Dédougou.

 

• Having heard the echoes of the positive evolution of the IMS with its new partner MSH, they wanted information from the source in order to better understand this great change and especially to follow up with their group leaders.
• Exchanges were held on the subject of care zones, the care network, convalescent homes to be approved, the Social Fund, the reduction of contributions and also the difficulties the Section has with the bursars who are late in paying contributions, the transmission of information to members and the financial return of reimbursements to those concerned. The issue of IMS social protection certificates rejected by certain embassies for visa applications and the evacuation of certain priests to the Maghreb was also discussed.
• In Dédougou a meeting was possible with the group leader of the diocese as well as the delegates of the female and male congregations there. The easier access to health care was appreciated, and proposals were made for possible agreements with MSH. Many questions were asked for clarification on the care areas and services.

 

2- Meeting with the group leaders or delegates in Burkina Faso.

With the permanent change of group leaders, information is essential and with our new system, training is essential. And so from collective membership, to options, care zones, care network, social fund, benefits, extranet etc… all the points were explained. The change of option is still a recurrent problem, the non-reimbursed care such as vitamins, vaccines, hygienic products prescribed by the doctor.

 

3- Then visits to the Benedictine monastery and the Conference headquarters for training on the extranet.

 

 

 

 

Visit to Togo from 24 February to 1 March 2022

 

• A large meeting was held with all the dioceses that are members of the IMS. Even the bishops who are no longer members were contacted to give them information about our new partner MSH with all its offers.

 

 

 

 

• General information and training was given. This was an opportunity to give details for both old and new members and delegates of the IMS groups. They travelled over 600 kms to attend this important meeting for all.
• The greatest difficulty the Section has with its group leaders is the lack of information to their members and even to the first person in charge who is the Bishop or the Major Superior.