The Croatian Catholic Medical Society (HKLD – Hrvatsko katoličko liječničko društvo) is a catholic professional non-governmental organization, which brings together medical doctors, doctors of dentistry, pharmacists, magisters of medical biochemistry and other highly educated Croatian health workers.
Member of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (F.I.A.M.C. – “Fédération Internationale des Associations Médicales Catholiques”).
History
The CCMS was founded on 16 February 1991 as a secular and religious organization under the wing of the Catholic church gathering medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other highly educated members of the health service in order to promote catholic beliefs in the health protection of the community and in preserving human life from conception to natural death. About that same time Croatia came under attack, so the members of CCMS from the very beginning of war organized first aid courses and assistance to refugees.
The society was founded in the great hall of the Jesuit residence in Palmotićeva street that was too small to accommodate all those who were interested, since the gathering was attended by more than 200 participant doctors from 30 cities. The Archbishop at the time, Cardinal Franjo Kuharić was in attendance as well, and Dr Margarita Peraica was elected as president. After founding the society, which has gathered great interest from other physicians as well as other highly educated employees of the health sector, President Ana Planinc-Peraica pointed out that the mission of the society is to witness in professional life the catholic principles and to express their views in ethical dilemmas that could arise in various situations.
These principles, members of the CCMS, would like to witness in both their personal life and professional activities; as stated in the society’s charter, in accomplishing these goals, members are acting in the following areas: encouraging ethical, moral, health and professional training of its members by the demands of time and teachings of the Catholic church; incorporates Christian values into the health sector that he bears witness to by personal example, nourishes the spirit of true service and respect for human life in dealing with an ill person, takes a stand for the application of the best and most reasonable practices in taking care of one’s health, prevention and recognition and treatment of disease along with recovery of the patient, cares about the dignity of physicians and employees of the health sector as well as proper and safe working conditions in their calling; serving with his expertise to the magisterium of the Church, promotes the Catholic moral and ethical attitudes in medical science and practice.