Health is sometimes downplayed as a development priority. Governments and donors often prioritize economic growth and education, on the assumption that better health will automatically follow. The most compelling arguments that we health types make in response are as follows:
1) ill health is a drag on the economy by reducing worker productivity
2) when a family member is sick, families will bankrupt themselves in getting care for that individual
Point two is really about love. When a loved one is ill, you do your best to save them, even if you have to sell your assets, exhaust your savings, or move from the country to the city. You most certainly do not continue your education, start a microenterprise, or try to increase the productivity of your farm. This is especially true when your loved one in question is a child.
I always knew that had to be true, but I know it painfully in my heart now. My best friends just lost their baby daughter. She had Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that includes physical and developmental disabilities. Her illness meant that her family couldn’t get medical clearance, so her dad had to leave his job working abroad and they dipped into their savings to survive. He looked for a new job in the US, but it was hard to schedule around the time spent talking to doctors and looking after his baby.
No one questioned the family’s decision to focus on their daughter. If asked, I would have dipped into my own savings, unquestioning. When a family member is sick, you do what you have to do. Here in the US, the family had health insurance that covered most of their costs. In the developing world, the expense would probably have pushed an entire extended family into poverty.
You can’t improve the world around you if your baby is sick. You can only try to save your baby. Which is why the rest of us need to make a world where babies grow up strong and healthy and no one has to make terrible choices.
Sakina Nurulimon Hunsicker had a sweet smile, an infectious little giggle, and propensity for cuddling. She was almost eleven months old when she died suddenly from complications of pneumonia and dehydration caused by diarrhea. She leaves behind her parents, a devoted older brother, and a large extended family. She touched the lives of many, many people, and we miss her.
Tragedy is not a strong enough word to describe how sad this is. Many people have been affected by prolonged family illnesses, but to lose a child after such a struggle is more than anyone should have to go through, especially people who really would change the world. While it will never make up for anything, if it helps people think about how much needs to be done for health care in the third world, at least there may be some tiny bit of a silver lining. Dave and Mamura, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
My deepest, deepest sympathies to the parents. My heart is with them, and I don’t even know them. There is not much more to say except, I cannot imagine it. May time bring them understanding, and peace.
– Julian
My heart aches for Sakina’s family. Not only because of all the stories I heard about her at your house, but because no one should have to go through losing a child. My sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the family. Con much carino y amor.
I never know what to say when I hear that someone has died. And it is always afterwards (after when I should have said something) that I think what of what I should have said. When I heard about the baby, I should have said, “Allah yarham ha.” (God bless her.) I know that sounds like an odd thing to say in English, but in Arabic – in Islam – it is what you are supposed to say. So, Allah yarham ha.
– Zaid
I don’t have any data backing this up, but my belief is that there is strong and important psycho-social penalty inflicted on societies under stress. The constant knowledge that babies regularly die – that your baby could die – puts a strain on everyone in a society.
Kevin Dean – It’s a dangerous and unsettling world when the thing that means the most to you can be taken at any time for no reason. That kind of fear and uncertainty must take its toll.
Sakina’s family – my prayers are with you.
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