Graduands at Kenyan Catholic Medical College Cautioned against “looking for money”, Urged to Prioritize “touching lives”

Nairobi, 23 November, 2024 / 9:15 PM

Medical graduands at Our Lady of Lourdes Mutomo College of Health Sciences (OLLMCHS) of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui in Kenya have been cautioned against prioritizing financial gains over care for patients.

The Local Ordinary of the Kenyan Catholic Diocese made the caution on Friday, November 22 during the double celebration of the medical college’s 2nd graduation ceremony and the 60th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Mutomo (OLLMH).

In his homily, Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela urged the graduands to practice their medical profession with integrity and compassion, prioritizing the healing of patients under their care.

As medical practitioners, Bishop Mwongela said, “do not discourage patients; give hope to people ... believe in the gift of healing.”

He emphasized the need for medical practitioners to be preoccupied with the healing ministry that prioritizes the welfare of patients under their care. 

“Brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, believe in the power of healing and be an instrument of change in people’s lives,” the Local Ordinary of Kitui Diocese said. 

He went on to caution against the pursuit of monetary gain. He challenged the medical graduands to reflect on the question, “Are you treating, or are you looking for money?”

“Become great because of doing great things, not because of having a lot of money, but because of touching many lives and healing many people,” Bishop Mwongela said, and added, “Our country Kenya needs progress; it needs prayer, and it needs me and you.”

He continued, “You can be poor and still find happiness in the little things of life and in what you do. You can be young and searching for a job, like many of you graduating today, or a parent celebrating the success of your son or daughter.”

“You become greedy, thinking you can have the best of everything, and sometimes we deceive ourselves into believing that life might be better elsewhere. But the truth is, life is better here,” Bishop Mwongela said. 

In his homily, the Kenyan Catholic Church leader, who has been at the helm of Kitui Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in August 2020 called for rejoicing in God-given gifts.

“Learn to rejoice in the beauty of life and in the things that God has given us,” he said.

Reflecting on the legacy of the hospital that the Sisters of Mercy from Ireland established in 1964, Bishop Mwongela acknowledged the health facility's role in realizing healing and medical care since its inception.

“Great miracles of healing have happened in this place, and we need to continue thanking God for His blessings,” he said.