One of the assigned articles in our class on public health challenges in China recounts the story of Rongrong, a newborn baby whose parents were among villagers sold fake milk powder to feed their infants in 2004. At least 200 infants were severely malnourished as a result of consuming this cheap powder, and village doctors, who aren't rigorously trained or regulated, failed to recognize the signs of malnutrition. Instead, they called it the "big head disease"--a classic indication of malnutrition. Rongrong died in a city hospital. Her parents are responsible not only for the cost of her care prior to her death, but also for the illnesses her mother now suffers.
According to China Daily, rural people are most susceptible to counterfeit food products, where there is very little regulation. Companies wanting to turn a profit have apparently found their target population in China's most precarious citizens. Not only that, what kind of physicians fail to diagnose severe malnutrition?
The original article, published in The Economist, can be found here.
Learn more about the unexpected, adverse outcomes of globalization on the "have-nots": The UN Development Project's report on "Inequality & Development"
Making the case for capitalism: John Norberg video
Compounding the issue: Another video on politics, wealth, and health
Showing posts with label rural health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rural health. Show all posts
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Sustainable Development
Our intro class on emerging trends in global health reminded me of an interesting model for sustainable development I saw in the Ecuadorian rainforest in 2006. While I went there to learn about the practice of rural medicine, I was exposed to a promising business model that exploited the tourist industry to bring healthcare, education and buying power to a small region along the Napo River called Mondana.
Like Dr. Shahi said, 90% of healthcare is not accomplished by physicians. What was impressive about Mondana's set-up was not the high level of medical care available to the community. In fact, the clinic lacks any special equipment and must often refer patients to the nearest city, Tena. Many patients are unable to afford the cost of transportation (about $7 U.S.). What was impressive is the establishment of a boarding school that teaches rural children basic education as well as skills in making jewelry, giving tours of the rainforest, and running a hotel. These children get hands-on experience working at the Yachana Lodge as housekeepers, tour guides and boatmen. Proceeds of Yachana go to fund the school and keep the clinic running. The school is now an accredited establishment, and children are receiving grants to study in the capital city of Quito. A few of these kids will go on to acquire professional skills which they can use to improve the status of Mondana and nearby communities.
Along with Yachana, a gourmet chocolate company was established to supplement the lodge's income. Using slow-roasted cacao beans and other ingredients found in the rainforest, locals have created a unique chocolate product that I was very surprised to find in drugstores in Quito, and in fine health food stores here in the U.S. Like Yachana Lodge, the chocolate caters to the palate of developed countries, and that's how a rural rainforest community has (hopefully) begun its way up the ladder of sustainable development.
Like Dr. Shahi said, 90% of healthcare is not accomplished by physicians. What was impressive about Mondana's set-up was not the high level of medical care available to the community. In fact, the clinic lacks any special equipment and must often refer patients to the nearest city, Tena. Many patients are unable to afford the cost of transportation (about $7 U.S.). What was impressive is the establishment of a boarding school that teaches rural children basic education as well as skills in making jewelry, giving tours of the rainforest, and running a hotel. These children get hands-on experience working at the Yachana Lodge as housekeepers, tour guides and boatmen. Proceeds of Yachana go to fund the school and keep the clinic running. The school is now an accredited establishment, and children are receiving grants to study in the capital city of Quito. A few of these kids will go on to acquire professional skills which they can use to improve the status of Mondana and nearby communities.
Along with Yachana, a gourmet chocolate company was established to supplement the lodge's income. Using slow-roasted cacao beans and other ingredients found in the rainforest, locals have created a unique chocolate product that I was very surprised to find in drugstores in Quito, and in fine health food stores here in the U.S. Like Yachana Lodge, the chocolate caters to the palate of developed countries, and that's how a rural rainforest community has (hopefully) begun its way up the ladder of sustainable development.
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