Orlando Sentinel New Voices
This is the first bit of my writing, outside of a poem in a middle school literary journal or something, I have ever seen published.
New Voices: Health, education, keys to change for Dhaka.
This is the first bit of my writing, outside of a poem in a middle school literary journal or something, I have ever seen published.
New Voices: Health, education, keys to change for Dhaka.
Your article was very interesting, but as a 60+ year old who inherited several ‘pre-existing’ conditions, please rest assured that the presence of the ill does, indeed, contribute to a country’s economy – especially an industrial or post industrial country. While we may not be on a factory line, our illnesses stimulate a thriving international pharmaceutical industry. (Wall Street is a big fan of Big Pharma). Hospitals continue to thrive, medical schools are desired by most communities, and the shortage of skilled nurses in the US and the rest of the world creates a tremendous demand for those willing to undertake the training for this important , but often downplayed, profession. Of course we would prefer to live healthy lives. But the fact that there are sick people all over the world is actually stimulating science and creating jobs, not simply draining economies.
I read it and it is an unusual piece for the Sentinel to pick up, but I liked it! It’s good to see your name in print!
I am glad you liked the article Christien and Sheryl.
Sheryl I certainly understand the positive impact sickness may have on an economy, especially an economy like America’s. A quick google search shows me that the USA spends a full 16% of its entire GDP on health care expenses, or a staggering $2.2 trillion dollars; also, there are over eight hundred thousand AMA physicians in America, or 285 for every 100,000 people. America’s economic advantages (over other countries) have relied primarily on high technology advancements (businesses like Lockheed Martin) instead of low-wage productions (of textiles and such).
However in Bangladesh the story is a different one. Although the data on healthcare expenditures are limited, there are 26 physicians for every 100,000 person (less than a tenth of America’s ratio) and much fewer higher education opportunities to become doctors. At their current economic stage, Bangladesh focuses a large amount on production of basic goods to export and low-skilled service positions (there are over 800,000 rickshaw pedal-ers in Dhaka alone, or more than twice as many pedalers per person than America has doctors per person!).
Sick people in Dhaka are not stimulating the economy because theirs is not an economy like ours. Money is to be mostly made in basic productions, not high skilled jobs, and ill residents certainly burden the state, especially if they cannot even pay for their medical treatment or taxes to pay for others who can’t pay.