Heath Care For All

in America unlike the other major industrialized nations health care is a privilege rather than a right because profit triumphs over everything . One of the amazing ironies of World War II is that in drafting the new Constitutions for Germany and Japan those who drafted those documents made sure universal health care was included as a basic right.

Dr. Devi Shetty an Indian heart surgeon believes that health care should be available to all no matter their economic means how he does this is by charging the wealthy the full cost for treatments provided while those most in need receive health care free of charge.

While surveying the blueprint drawings of a new 300-bed speciality heart hospital in Mysore, Dr Devi Shetty announces that his facility will be completed within four to five months with a total investment of about $4m. Traditionally in India, such a hospital would cost nearer $30m and take around three years to build. Shetty's goal is for his low-cost model to make heart surgery accessible to the millions in need.

In India, around 40% of the population either borrow money or sell assets to pay for hospitalisation, and 25% fall below the poverty line as a result of medical expenses each year. Since 1949, the private health sector has grown from 8% of healthcare facilities to encompass 93% of hospitals and 85% of doctors. Private financing accounts for 78% of total health expenditure – one of the highest proportions in the world.

This is what happens when you allow for profit health care to control access to what should be a basic human right.