Celebrating World Health Day: Roundtable Discussion On The Way Forward For Medical Social Work
Celebrating World Health Day: Roundtable Discussion On The Way Forward For Medical Social Work
11
Apr
11/04/2025
In celebration of World Health Day 2025, themed “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the Faculty of Health Sciences at USJ hosted “Infinite Future of Medical ✕ Social Work” Roundtable Discussion.
In celebration of World Health Day 2025, themed “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) hosted the “Infinite Future of Medical ✕ Social Work” Roundtable Discussion on the 7th April, 2025.
This global moment highlights health as a fundamental right and underscores the vital role of medical social workers in bridging healthcare gaps. These professionals provide holistic support to vulnerable populations, addressing social determinants like poverty, access, and mental health—key factors in enhancing patient outcomes and aligning with this year’s call to action. The discussion advocates for integrating medical social work into every hospital in Macao, emphasizing that it is not an expense but a complement to medical services. By supporting whole-person care for patients and their families, medical social workers enhance healthcare delivery. Adding these services could also save public funds by preventing issues from escalating into severe, costly problems.
Attendees included Rev’d Professor Stephen Morgan, Rector of USJ, Ms. Kuan Oi Teng, Acting Head of Professional Development and Planning Division at IAS, Ms. Sin Wai Peng, Functional Head of Social Work Department at Health Bureau, Mr. Paul Pun, Executive Director of Caritas Macau, Ms. Lau Weng Si, Director of Elderly Services at the FAOM and Dr. Ng Wai I, Vice-President of Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau.
Rector Morgan said in his opening speech that “The roundtable focused on medical social workers, who he believed medically qualified social workers could make patients aware of their health conditions while playing a role in helping patients recover. Most diseases are part of normal life, but they are easily over-interpreted or ignored. Professionals are needed to help those who do not know how to take care of themselves and how to properly treat their health. Medical social workers play an important role in society, especially the needs of Macau society.”
Dean of FHS, Prof Jacky Ho added that “Today, we recognize medical social workers’ efforts in patient advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration, amplifying the vision of a healthier, more inclusive world. This aligns with our mission as a Faculty of Health Sciences to educate professionals who serve the greater good,” said Prof. Jacky Ho, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences. “The round table aims to spark actionable steps toward embedding medical social work in Macao’s healthcare system, ensuring hopeful futures begin with equitable care. We explore how medical social work can transform healthcare in Macao, fostering a system where every patient thrives. The faculty is committee to educate the next generation of community health professionals to improve the health and wellbeing of our society.”
