On 8 February this year, the Ist Provincial Summit of General Hospitals and Clinics was held at Casa Lucena in Bogotá, Colombia, under the theme: Humanising health with quality, safety and teaching.  This important event was inaugurated with a warm welcome by Dr. Hugo Castellanos, Deputy Director of Quality and Care Models, and Dr Marianella Huamán, Medical Coordinator of General Hospitals.

Brother Juan Carlos Tovar, OH., the Provincial Councillor responsible for the Andean Zone, speaking on behalf of the Superior of the St John of God Province of Latin America and the Caribbean, Brother Erik Castillo, OH.  delivered the opening address with warm words of welcome, emphasising the message of the Charter of Hospitality, and calling on the participants to strengthen the charism, principles and values of the Hospitaller Order of St John of God in each Provincial Centre, to remain faithful to the spirit of St John of God, ensure the charismatic management, evolution and innovation of the services and infrastructure, and provide a good service for the patients and the needy, in order to serve better.

Finally, he stressed the message of Synodality, journeying together, between Brothers and Co-workers driven by empathy, always putting ourselves in the place of the patient and of those who need us, through Communion, participation and the mission which is enriched by working together, and not forgetting that the Hospitals and Clinics of the Order in Latin America and the Caribbean are centres of spirituality.

In response, our Provincial Director, Julián Medina, called upon the managers and co-workers to journey together in a better and more orderly manner, to continue to comply with the policies of the Provincial Definitory, to improve quality and develop patient care, and to accompany our guests in the world of pain.

This important event was attended by Brothers and Managers from the various clinics and general hospitals located in the 11 countries which now make up our Province, and from where we are andeavouring to foster humanised care, faithful at all time to minister in the manner of St John of God.