I read this news just now and it made me sad, very sad.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/odisha-poverty-no-money-man-carries-wife-body-2994862
Now, from a public health professional perspective, some questions for us to consider..
What can we do about this?
Should we do anything at all?
Does this impact public health? Why? Why not?
Please read this and comment and I will then give my perspectives on the questions.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/odisha-poverty-no-money-man-carries-wife-body-2994862
Now, from a public health professional perspective, some questions for us to consider..
What can we do about this?
Should we do anything at all?
Does this impact public health? Why? Why not?
Please read this and comment and I will then give my perspectives on the questions.
Before I comment, I want to commend this man and his daughter for their strength, resilience and fortitude.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read of how he carried his wife, I was stunned. The fact that the dead wife had TB is of great Public Health concern. It looks like it was hot on the day that he was carrying his wife back to his village on his shoulder. If he nor his daughter is already infected, aerosol from the infected body as it decomposes increases the risk of transmission considerably. It also increase the risk for community member becoming infected. TB can be very deadly.
I do not know enough about this area or the community to talk at length on what they need or what we should do. I can only speak from the perspective of what I’ve just read in this article and an outsider. I think that we, and when I say we, I am talking about us here in the US could help raise money to help in public health worker to be engage in poor and rural communities to plan and implement strategies to address the problems facing the community. I believe that in order for things to change that the community must be intricately involved in the process. From an outside perspective I would say that we could help in employing horse and buggy model in areas that are hard to reach. An ambulance with dedicated health workers that are trained would be helpful as well. Public Health officials especially those who are part of WHO could train individuals in the village to help with these needs and health promotion strategies.
That story is heartbreaking. The question that begs to be asked is should this service be a human right. In my opinion, I feel that a hearse service should be provided free of charge or at least on a sliding scale for those who cannot afford it. It is so sad to see a man, and other members of this tribal village, carrying his deceased loved one for miles with no assistance. It seems inhumane to me. This impacts public health in that often, people do not remember that death is a healthcare issue we must attend to as well. The deceased must be buried properly to prevent future illness that may occur. Another aspect to consider is the emotional toll this must have taken on the husband and the sobbing daughter. It is enough that they have lost a wife and mother, and to have to carry her body for such a long distance is even more heartbreaking. I am happy though, to hear that she was eventually taken to her home village by car. We can and should consider this story when developing future policies in these countries and in international laws.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad and heartbreaking! This story is a shame on public health organizations. I totally agree that such a sad strory is a part of public and international health in many aspects. First, the wife had a TB which is still a major public health threat in many developing countries that needs further implimentation of public health stratigies. I also totally agree with Chris that the transportation of the dead body in this way is an extreme public health and biological disaster especially that the wife had such a communicable disease. Second point is regarding the social and emotional aspects of health. What is the feeling of this man & his daughter who just lost the closest person to their heart while being suffering under extreme poverty conditions. Instead of being socially and emotionally supported, they had to suffer more and more which is so heartbreaking. From the public policy aspect, providing ambulances or any medical way of transportation suitable for the area is a must for all people. I believe that such service should be free of charge for the poor. It is the core of public health & public policy stratigies. In fact, I knew a similar condition that occured in Egypt but fortunatelly, the dead body was finally transported by car thanks to the efforts of local non profit organizations that gave a hand to help back then. This also highlights the important role of the community as a level of intervention.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad and heartbreaking! This story is a shame on public health organizations. I totally agree that such a sad strory is a part of public and international health in many aspects. First, the wife had a TB which is still a major public health threat in many developing countries that needs further implimentation of public health stratigies. I also totally agree with Chris that the transportation of the dead body in this way is an extreme public health and biological disaster especially that the wife had such a communicable disease. Second point is regarding the social and emotional aspects of health. What is the feeling of this man & his daughter who just lost the closest person to their heart while being suffering under extreme poverty conditions. Instead of being socially and emotionally supported, they had to suffer more and more which is so heartbreaking. From the public policy aspect, providing ambulances or any medical way of transportation suitable for the area is a must for all people. I believe that such service should be free of charge for the poor. It is the core of public health & public policy stratigies. In fact, I knew a similar condition that occured in Egypt but fortunatelly, the dead body was finally transported by car thanks to the efforts of local non profit organizations that gave a hand to help back then. This also highlights the important role of the community as a level of intervention.
ReplyDelete