An Saoi: I recently came across the following comment from an interview with Dr. Giovanni Berlinguer, professor of Social Medicine and younger brother of the late Enrico.
I think the esteemed professor has covered exactly why the problems occurred - you cannot have a dual health system operating side by side.
“The health sector is a central actor in eliminating health inequities through universal coverage and by initiating collaboration with other sectors to address social determinants.
Medicine contributed a lot during the 20th century to the benefit of mankind, but the benefits were not equally distributed. There is an old saying: "Medicine is the science that enables the rich to be cured, and says to the poor how they could be cured if they were rich".
Today, the abolition of universal health systems has happened in some countries and it is beginning to happen in others. This trend must be reversed if we are to ensure that poor and marginalised populations have access to the health system.
Universal coverage is important to health, to human rights, but also to social cohesion and stability. Social cohesion is greater when there is not a division in society between those who suffer and those who do not.”
3 comments:
It is also an economic benefit.
Remember when free medical cards for the over-70s was introduced? The total of government health expenditure actually fell, and did do so in an increasing way over tme as patients presented far earlier with complaints that were treated pro-actively. This led to a fall in both chronic and acute conditions, including blindness, with a consequent fall in health spending and increased taxation revenues from those able to work.
As usual, wha's good for society is good for the economy and for government finances.
I cannot see any link between universal healthcare and a badly run hospital. This is just an example of a badly run hospital. When you look at the board structures, you can see how it has become a badly run hospital.
This led to a fall in both chronic and acute conditions, including blindness, with a consequent fall in health spending and increased taxation revenues from those able to work
What percentage of the over-70s are in a position to work?
Are you extrapolating from a tiny minority, of the order of 1%, perchance?
A much higher percentage of the over 70s could afford to fund their own healthcare, than will ever be in a position to remain working at that age.
If we're to look at healthcare in pure economic terms, it would be much more beneficial to provide medical cards to working families with young children.
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