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"We might die from medication but we sure killed all the pain" (Conor Oberst, Bright Eyes)I realize it's a bit of a mine field to talk about this subject in the middle of a health crisis.
But I would like to try. And I promise I won't bring up the C-word. I guess most of us are pretty tired of it as it is.
I don't want to talk about sickness. I want to talk about health.
Because health, I realize, is more than the absence of sickness.
I don't know about you guys, but I live in a country where the health system is considered one of the best in the world. Health insurance is mandatory here, which means that in theory, every citizen has access to public health care. The number of doctors and hospitals, the range of various treatments in relation to the population is higher than in most other countries. Our life expectancy is high, too.
I guess you could say that things are looking pretty good, especially when compared to international standards.
And I have to say I'm really grateful that, should I ever suffer from, let's say, appendicitis, chances are pretty good that I will be taken care of in time by professionals who know what they're doing. Also, some of the people closest to me are still here because of said health system. So yeah, I have definitely benefitted from this system, big time.
There is compassion and helpfulness in humankind. Looking after the weak and caring for the sick is what many of us see their purpose in and they dedicate themselves to helping those in need.
But human nature is also prone to greed and the constant drive to have the best, the newest, the most of everything, and that is why most good ideas and good systems turn into profit oriented businesses sooner or later.
It's no different with the health system.
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