Love in a time of Ebola: reflections on theology of medicine in resource-challenged environments

Abstract

This paper presents a much needed (philosophical and) theological framework for the practice of Christian medicine in resource-challenged environments. While ‘health and healing’ are often seen as determining the nature and goals of medicine, I believe that this distorts our understanding and practice of medicine. Rather, medicine is about care: it is an expression of a community’s solidarity with people whose inherent vulnerability and finitude is exposed by the physical or psychological disruptions occasioned by disease, disability, or disaster; it aims to so care for them that their inherent worth as members of the human community is affirmed and that they are able to function well in community, where possible and to the best of our ability in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. This both requires costly service in contexts of scarcity, and informs the kind of care that ought to be provided to those in need.