Seventh-day Adventist Representatives Participate in UK Parliament Discussion on Faith and Health Collaboration

Seventh-day Adventist representatives participated in a parliamentary discussion in the United Kingdom, focusing on the role of faith communities in health care. The event, titled “The Role of Faith in Health,” took place on 13 July 2026 at the Houses of Parliament in London. It brought together politicians, faith leaders, health professionals, NHS service providers, and representatives from voluntary and statutory organizations.

Enoch Kanagaraj, founder and chief executive officer of One Vision, and Sharon Platt-McDonald, director of Health Ministries for the British Union Conference, were among those contributing to the discussion. Both are members of the Faith and Health Networking Board and are involved in implementing the Government’s Neighbourhood Health Framework. This initiative aims to bring health care closer to communities through greater accessibility, integration, and preventive care.

Platt-McDonald, a member of Stanborough Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, was invited to share a Christian perspective during the parliamentary event. She discussed the relationship between faith and health, emphasizing the role of prayer in a Christian’s response to illness and treatment. She also highlighted how religious belief can influence personal and communal health practices, including lifestyle choices and care for others.

Platt-McDonald outlined the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s longstanding emphasis on whole-person well-being. She explained the role of health ministries in local churches, which provide health and well-being initiatives within their communities. Participants expressed interest in the Church’s approach, and following the event, several attendees approached Platt-McDonald to learn more about the Adventist Church and its health programs.

The event also led to invitations from other Christian denominations for Platt-McDonald to visit their churches and support health initiatives. Additionally, representatives from other faith communities requested visits to mosques and temples, seeking opportunities for collaboration and health training across faith groups. These interactions reflect a growing recognition of the contributions that faith organizations can make to public health and wellbeing.

The discussion underscores the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s commitment to promoting health and well-being through community-based initiatives. By engaging with policymakers and other faith leaders, the Church continues to advocate for holistic approaches to health care that integrate spiritual and physical dimensions of human life.

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