Caritas Hungay's Goodwill Ambassador Accompanies the organization's Medical Mission on its 75th Journey

On 16-17 November 2024, Caritas Hungary's Medical Mission conducted its 75th screening journey in Nagybereg (Velyki Berehy), Transcarpathia. Through the course of the weekend, nearly 200 individuals – children and adults alike – had the chance to participate in dental, ophthalmological, orthopedic, gynecological, EKG, blood sugar, and blood pressure examinations.

Due to the lack of adequate health screenings, children in Transcarpathia can become severely disadvantaged, remarked Dr. Anita Herczegh, Goodwill Ambassador of Caritas Hungary, during the Medical Mission’s 75th cross-border preventive screening in Nagybereg (Velyki Berehy), Transcarpathia.

The Mission’s volunteers provided dental, ophthalmological, orthopedic, gynecological, EKG, blood sugar, and blood pressure examinations to nearly 200 individuals, both children and adults. Dr. Herczegh actively participated in the screenings, emphasizing the importance of giving Transcarpathian children a chance to grow up healthy.

Held at the Reformed Lyceum of Nagybereg, the screening event allowed Caritas’s volunteer doctors and nurses to address gaps in local healthcare provision, as they have consistently done for over seven years. Participants registered in advance, and every attendee received thorough examinations over the two-day period. The event aimed not only to provide healthcare services but also to raise awareness about prevention and the imporance of leading a healthy lifestyle, while sending a message of solidarity to the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia: Hungary stands by them.

The event held special significance as Caritas Hungary's Goodwill Ambassador, Dr. Anita Herczegh, actively joined the screening efforts, underscoring the mission's importance and her commitment to supporting those in need.

Gábor Écsy, National Director of Caritas Hungary, highlighted: "The members of our Medical Mission give the most precious thing anyone can offer – their valuable time, dedicated attention, and professional knowledge. We pray for God’s blessings on their work, which brings hope to Hungarian communities in desperate situations on the other side of the border, all across the Carpathian Basin. We hope that the Mission's invaluable efforts can continue for a long time, thanks to the generosity of donors."

Moved by what she witnessed at the event, Dr. Herczegh shared: "I have encountered stories here that are usually assumed to only exist on TV screens. These people need real help, just an arm's reach away from us - therefore, I am grateful to have personally participated in the preventive screenings. Volunteering holds special importance for me, because it allows me to witness beautiful human encounters, even amidst the greatest need."

Since 2017, the Medical Mission’s volunteers have completed 75 missions, reaching kindergartens and schools in 28 locations across Transcarpathia, Vojvodina, and Transylvania. By mid-November 2024, they had conducted screenings for over 11,000 pre-schoolers, students, and adults, including nearly 1,400 gynecological and cancer screenings. As a result, Caritas Hungary has distributed approximately 1,300 pairs of glasses and 1,100 orthopedic insoles to children. The mission’s doctors and local Caritas staff initiated numerous follow-up examinations, treatments, and surgeries based on their findings.

Caritas Hungary’s Medical Mission carries out its preventive screenings year-round. Those wishing to support their work can donate online at www.karitasz.hu/segitene/onlineadomany.

Katolikus Karitász - Caritas Hungarica

Images: Zita Merényi / Magyar Kurír