The Health Policy of the Catholic Church in India is guided by the teachings of the Gospel, the Magisterium of the Church and the Charter for Healthcare Workers. The principles that guide the involvement of the Church in health and health care are as follows:
- Keeping in mind the holistic development of the person, in the involvement of the church in health and health care, the community health model will be given priority.
- The interventions of the Church will be guided by Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that says that all have the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their families.
- The Church will be committed in its actions to provide access to health and health care facilities and services in areas that lack adequate health care facilities.
- There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, sex, creed, class, caste, tribe, religion or other socio-economic, political and cultural realities in the delivery of services and facilities.
- The policy is guided by the teachings of the Church to serve the poorest of the poor. Special emphasis will be given to disadvantaged groups like Tribals, Dalits, Migrants, Refugees and the differently abled.
- Evidence-based medicine will be practiced in health care including the use of rational therapeutics.
- The decision-making in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation will be according to the teaching of the Church, ethically correct and will be based on complete and accurate technical information.
- Preventive and promotive Health opportunities and services will be promoted by all the institutions and centers.