Monday, July 12, 2010

Public Health Failures

Thought I'd share two examples from today about the ways in which we generally fail at successful public health and human rights. I still can't stop laughing about the second one, which makes me feel like a terrible, terrible person. Enjoy.

One of my American friends here went to a (certain private university in DC). I was rambling on today about public health and condoms (because thats what I do nowadays) and he tells me that his school ISNT ALLOWED to distribute or sell condoms, or theyll lose their Catholic association. AND they dont test students for AIDS or any STIs at their student health center. He said the only place to buy condoms is pretty far away, so lets think about likely it is anyone uses them. Why people, whyyyyyy???!

So second thing: I was driving home from work with another friend--he's an intern at the hospital across the street. He was telling me about one of the nurses on his floor--apparently a patient was being difficult so the nurse
HIT HIM.

Whaaaaaaaaat?!

He continued to be difficult (I dont know what being "difficult" entails...) so the nurse threatened to WITHHOLD HIS MEDICATION from him. He still continued, so the nurse didnt give him his pills. He just had heart surgery!