Unequal wealth distribution is a concept that is evident in many countries. People either have too much or too little resources that are required to fulfill their human needs. In most cases, people are regarded as being in the middle class.
The poor have limited access to goods and services due to inadequate funds, while the rich have a greater reach to these scarce resources. The rich sometimes take for granted what they have. They abuse their wealth and power to oppress the poor. Then again, some have been brought up in families that were not so well off. Hence they have learned to appreciate what they have.
The book, ‘Mountains beyond mountains’ shows the unending quest by a doctor called Farmer to save people challenged with poverty. He is indeed a doctor to be emulated as he is devoted in his work to save lives. He works unceasingly even in cases that seem hopeless. He was brought up in a family that belonged to the middle class. In this book, there is an illustration of the benefits the poor get from the rich. The farmer was a doctor who dedicated his time, service and income to the community he lived in.
He lived among the Haitians, who were not well off. He had a vocation to serve these people and even in situations that seemed desperate, he did not give up. In one case for instance, when a patient did not come for a refill for his tuberculosis treatment, Farmer went out to look for that patient. This shows is an outstanding example of dedication. Not many doctors go out of their way to ensure that a patient follows up on medication; most of the time they are too busy.
In this instance, the doctor, who was himself moderately rich made an impact on the lives of the people in Haiti. He made things that seemed impossible, possible. In one case, there was a boy who had a rare cancer of the respiratory system; nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The farmer did his utmost best to secure an oncologist who diagnosed the boy. His trouble did not end there because the boy could not be treated in Haiti. This is due to poor health facilities and there was the risk of certain death if he did not receive specialized treatment.
Farmer secured transport for the boy and a facility in Boston that agreed to treat the boy for free (Kidder 37). This shows that the doctor extends personalized care to his patients. ‘Farmer curls right on the bed to the point that Kidder thinks he’s going to climb in with the man. He is very close and personal with the guy to show how much he cares’ (Kidder 86).
This is a rare incidence where a doctor does not give up in the face of challenges. Most doctors would just give the patient time to bid their loved ones goodbye and give them palliative care. Farmer is not a typical doctor. This is a classic case of the rich helping the poor.
This shows that the underprivileged have poor access to health care. If a doctor is truly dedicated to his work, he will not be discouraged by lack of funds or facilities. Doctors should safeguard the wellbeing of their patients. The widespread poverty in Haiti did not discourage Farmer; he instead strived harder to serve those that were underprivileged. In this case, the poverty situation in Haiti served to motivate Farmer to make a difference.
Morality has been side-stepped in the advancements that have been made in medicine. For instance, in the past people were conservative and they were wary of the various communicable diseases associated with immorality. In the past, diseases like syphilis were discussed behind closed doors. People infected with the disease would be viewed as if they are sitting on a ticking time bomb. This, therefore, made people more careful to the extent of being faithful to one partner.
One of the biggest obstacles that have been overcome in the world of medicine is the ability to deal with HIV/AIDs. First of all, post-exposure prophylaxis has been made available and so when one suspects they have been exposed; they get started on these drugs to ensure they do not contract the disease.
Secondly, people having a disease can live normal lives. The Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has been used to help control the progress of the disease. It boosts the CD4 cells and so ensures that a person’s immunity is not compromised.
With these advancements, people have become laxer with their morals. People no longer worry too much when they contract a disease because they are assured that treatment is available.
HIV rates have been proved to be higher among the poor. This is due to various factors such as lack of knowledge on ways to prevent contracting the disease. Some of them are not aware of the existence of the disease. It is sad to know that some are pushed into activities, such as prostitution, that put them at risk of infection due to poverty.
In the third world countries, some communities have beliefs that are detrimental to the health of others. For instance, in the western communities of Kenya, there was the belief that when one sleeps with a virgin, they are cured of HIV infection. Of course, this is not so and such individuals only spread the disease to others.
Multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis is becoming a major problem worldwide. The resistant strains are mainly noted among the poor. Resistance comes about secondary to absconding of treatment. Incomplete treatment of this bacteria leads to the development of resistance. Among the poor, the rate of defaulting treatment is higher because; sometimes they cannot access the full course of treatment. They also report feeling better after a while, and they; therefore, do not complete treatment.
The burden of treating the drug-resistant tuberculosis is becoming a bigger burden, especially among the HIV infected patients. This has become a bigger challenge especially in those who are concomitantly infected with HIV (MDR-TB common in people living with HIV 2011). ‘They have dealt with six cases all of which are somewhat of a puzzle, until the last patient who they are concerned may have TB as a result of being HIV positive’ (Kidder 104).
The therapy for treating such resistant strains of bacteria is also more expensive than the non-resistant counterpart. If not managed, the bacteria can go on to become an extremely resistant strain that is harder and more expensive to treat. If such bacteria became widespread, it would pose a calamity to the world at large (Tuberculosis 2011).
Interdependence is unavoidable between the rich and the poor, the rich need the poor to work for them. In most cases, the rich provide job opportunities while the poor provide the services. This shows an interdependent relationship between the two. One cannot function without the other (The Rich Get Substitution Effects and the Poor Get Income Effects 2011).
In the modern world, the Catholic Church is advocating for people to develop preferential treatment towards the poor and those in underprivileged situations. This is because such people cannot speak for themselves. They are not provided with a forum in which they can speak out (CST-Preferential treatment 2011). After this, his understanding of Catholicism changed radically when he saw Catholic prelates preaching against the oppression of the poor rather than the perils of premarital sex (Kidder 87).
The general population is requested to empathize with those that are less privileged, and if they are in a position to make their life better, they should act. Humanity calls out to all to be compassionate and help those that are in need (Gyatzo and Dalai Lama 2011).
Conclusion
In general, wealth is poorly distributed in the world; consequently, the rich and the poor have developed interdependence. It is a calling to all able people to help the underprivileged in whatever way one can. Farmer, the doctor is of admirable character because he believes that patients are there to be treated, and it is his duty to ensure that they get better.
Works Cited
CST-The Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Center for Social Concerns. University of Notre Dame. Web.
Gyatzo, Tenzin, and H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama. Human Rights, Democracy and Freedom | The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama | The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Web.
MDR-TB More Common in People Living with HIV. UNAIDS. Web.
Mountains beyond Mountains Chapter Summary by Tracy Kidder. The Best Notes – Free Study Guide Book Notes Online Literature Summaries Booknotes. Web.
The Rich Get Substitution Effects and the Poor Get Income Effects | Relentlessly Progressive Political Economy. Relentlessly Progressive Political Economy | A ruthless criticism of all that exists. Web.
Tuberculosis. World Health Organization. Web.