The Physicians for Human Rights January 2009 emergency report "Health in Ruins: A Man-Made Disaster in Zimbabwe" is a disturbing analysis of the collapse of the healthcare system in Zimbabwe. The report concludes that "a causal chain runs from Mugabe's economic policies, to Zimbabwe's economic collapse, food insecurity and malnutrition, and the current outbreaks of infectious disease." The organization recommends the following to alleviate the healthcare crisis: resolution of the political impasse, the launch of an emergency health response, referral of the crisis to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, an emergency summit on HIV/AIDS and TB and other infectious diseases, and prevention of further nutritional deterioration by ensuring household food security.
I recommend a thorough review of this emergency report.
The plumbline libertarian is horrified, but not shocked, by the Zimbabwe healthcare crisis. The Zimbabwe government, like all governments, is a criminal organization dedicated to the monopolization of ultimate decision-making authority in a given territory. The delivery of high-quality healthcare is viewed by any government as a pragmatic tool to enhance its monopolization of ultimate decision-making authority. Even the PHR report concedes that "the Mugabe regime has used any means at its disposal, including politicizing the health sector, to maintain its hold on power."
In addition, the plumbline libertarian is horrified, but not shocked, by the silly PHR recommendations. All five recommendations seek the assistance of criminal organizations (the Zimbabwe government, the U.N. Security Council, the International Criminal Court, the American government, and the international community [governments not previously listed]) to resolve the healthcare crisis in Zimbabwe. As usual, the plumbline libertarian/libertarian bioethicist opposes these recommendations on moral and empirical grounds.
Also as usual, the plumbline libertarian/libertarian bioethicist recommends the separation of state and medicine (preferably by the abolition of the state) to solve the healthcare crisis not only in Zimbabwe, but also the rest of the world. Sadly, the Physicians for Human Rights organization does not agree.
I recommend a thorough review of this emergency report.
The plumbline libertarian is horrified, but not shocked, by the Zimbabwe healthcare crisis. The Zimbabwe government, like all governments, is a criminal organization dedicated to the monopolization of ultimate decision-making authority in a given territory. The delivery of high-quality healthcare is viewed by any government as a pragmatic tool to enhance its monopolization of ultimate decision-making authority. Even the PHR report concedes that "the Mugabe regime has used any means at its disposal, including politicizing the health sector, to maintain its hold on power."
In addition, the plumbline libertarian is horrified, but not shocked, by the silly PHR recommendations. All five recommendations seek the assistance of criminal organizations (the Zimbabwe government, the U.N. Security Council, the International Criminal Court, the American government, and the international community [governments not previously listed]) to resolve the healthcare crisis in Zimbabwe. As usual, the plumbline libertarian/libertarian bioethicist opposes these recommendations on moral and empirical grounds.
Also as usual, the plumbline libertarian/libertarian bioethicist recommends the separation of state and medicine (preferably by the abolition of the state) to solve the healthcare crisis not only in Zimbabwe, but also the rest of the world. Sadly, the Physicians for Human Rights organization does not agree.
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