The Problem of the Distribution of Resources in Health Care

Assignment Questionnaire

“The problem of the distribution of resources in health care is a crucial one, particularly in the countries where there is poverty and very limited resources”. Critically discuss this statement. Give reasons for your view.

Table of Contents

Introduction:        

Body        

Conclusion        

References        

Introduction:

Is distribution of resources a crucial factor, especially to countries where there is poverty and limited resources? When answering any question related to Healthcare we need to look at the moral philosophy. Moral philosophy, is concerned with questions about the good life, about whether there is any objective right and wrong, and reasoning about general principles and using the process of intellectual reflection to determine a morally defensive action to take in a given situation. Morality refers to the whole of current and traditional norms, values and virtues and moral conduct held by a society. Norms are moral rules or obligations.

Having to comprehend the meaning of adequate healthcare, and the fundamental understanding of its position, in different geo-locations remains by far and unprecedented biasm in the true definition of adequate.

In Southern Africa, the matter of population growth and the difficulties in providing sufficient food, water, medical facilities etc. remain important. In addition, the AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa means that medical care for AIDS patients and orphans is a crucial matter. Thousands of people are dying daily as a result of diseased contracted because their immune system is not functioning as it should. Some estimates place the incidence of HIV/AIDS infections at approximately 4.7 million in South Africa alone. Other estimate that as many as 25 per cent of South African population is HIV-positive 1.

Remoteness, access and availability to adequate healthcare is difficult question to answer when it comes to moral philosophy? What is the economic cost of providing such a service? How do you define Government spending i.e. preventive and curative cost? Resources and adequate facilities to facilitate an adequate healthcare service?

Access to health care can be defined in a variety of ways. In its most narrow sense, it refers to geographic availability. A far broader definition identifies four dimensions of access: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability 2. Some define access as the opportunity to use health care.

Body

Important developments in the power and potential of medical technology, coupled with new ideas in social justice (including a greater emphasis on free individual choice), have been among the factors contributing to the need to respond to the moral crises in the healthcare professions. Other factors, including the vast discrepancies in healthcare between the first and third world, the allocation of resources, the difference in priorities, and competing conceptions of health care, all add to the complex circumstances within which choices about right and wrong actions have to be made.

Nutrition is a vital issue in proper and adequate healthcare. Malnourished children and adults are more susceptible to disease due to a lack of proper nutrition. Even the provision of clean water is a matter of great concern. These are considerable effects due to remoteness (geolocation), accessibility to proper healthcare facilities, living conditions, gross population and even sanitization

In Southern Africa, the matter of population growth and the difficulties in providing sufficient food, water, medical facilities etc. remain important. In addition, the AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa means that medical care for AIDS patients and orphans is a crucial matter.

Distributive justice is concerned with the fair allocation of resources among diverse members of a community. Fair allocation typically takes into account the total amount of goods to be distributed, the distributing procedure, and the pattern of distribution that results.

These benefits and burdens span all dimensions of social life and assume all forms, including income, economic wealth, political power, taxation, work obligations, education, shelter, health care, military service, community involvement and religious activities.

There are four views on resources distribution - how medical resources could be distributed; libertarian view, an equality view, a decent minimum view and a two-tier view:

Liberal theories of Justice view the process, or outcome, of individual’s free actions to be just in line with factors surrounding the accessibility and availability. The liberal views holds to health care as a private concern. People are only entitled to the health care they can afford and make provision for.

This view is quiet limiting for those who need access to health care but cannot afford it. The liberal view states that in mitigating health care for those who cannot afford, charitable organizations and good will of people to support these individuals

Equality states that everyone has the same basic right to health care. This is not, of course, the right to the same amount and kind of treatment. Healthy people will receive less care than ill people, but people with the same illness have a right to the same care and treatment.

The Equality view states that healthcare should be distributed according to medical criteria only i.e. patients with the same illness should receive the same treatment. In societies where there are significant differences in wealth and opportunity, inequalities would quickly become apparent. Thus, the equality view calls for the state to be the provider of health care thereby eliminating differences of class and social prejudice.