The ministries of culture i health have today presented a joint campaign to promote the use of Catalan in the healthcare field and to encourage both professionals and patients to use their own language in consultations, hospitals and pharmacies. The initiative, which will be deployed from 10 to 24 Novemberstarts from three everyday questions —“how can i help you?”, “how are you” and “where it hurts?”— to invite users to express themselves in Catalan and facilitate communication with professionals.
The minister of culture, Monica Bonellhas recalled that the latest data on linguistic usage indicate that the 64% of respondents is treated only in Catalan by the general practitioner, a percentage that drops to 54.5% in the case of specialists. As for patients, the 60% speak only in Catalan with the general practitioner i 52% with the specialist. For his part, the minister of health, Helena Masshas argued that being able to explain symptoms and understand diagnoses in one’s own language contributes to generating trust and strengthening the bond between patient and professional.
The campaign will feature posters, badges and dissemination on social networks and the media. The badges will be voluntary and they will be played by professionals from the Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS)as well as members of the professional associations of doctors and pharmacists. The project has been awarded to the company commando for 24,035 euros.
Bonell also explained that Linguistic Policy he is already moving Catalan teachers to SASwhich has between 1,200 i 1,300 workersto facilitate the learning of the language for professionals in their own work environment. The ministers have defended that the campaign is two-way: invites patients to speak Catalan, but also makes it easier for professionals who do not have it as their mother tongue to practice and improve their command of it.
