17 August 2009: inspirational people
This week opens with the sad news that more British soldiers have lost their lives in the run-up to the elections in Afghanistan and the political hot potato/soccer ball which is the US healthcare reforms bill. The contrast between honorable men dying for their countries and in protection of the principles of democracy with dishonorable ones campaigning with smear and fear tactics about “evil and Orwellian NHS” could not be starker.
So here are the inspirational people for this week.
(1.) NHS workers
According to the NHS Information Service, as at September 2008 there were 1,368,200 staff which represents a 28 percent increase compared with 1998. That’s a positive sign that investment and employment opportunities continue to be made in the NHS. Yes, it’s unfortunate the system isn’t as efficient as it could be and that resources get stretched to what seems to be breaking point before recovering back to shape (or at least flexing to accommodate the additional increase in patient care). Importantly,
THE NHS DEMOCRATIZES HEALTHCARE FOR THE HAVES AND HAVE NOTS.
It’s not Orwell that that certain strata of US politicians should educate themselves about. It’s JK Galbraith, David Lloyd George and Aneurin Bevan.
The fact is that not all of us can afford to fly to the best specialist clinics around the world. Likewise, not all of us have access to a Harley Street doctor who charges GBP150 per hour for a consultation or a private dentist who costs GBP100 for a simple routine check-up. The majority of people cope with average annual household income of around GBP30,000. With this, they have to pay towards the education and raising of children, weekly bills (rent, food, electricity/gas) and other expenditure (home, travel and the odd vacation). At the extreme ends of the superrich-poverty line there are those who have to survive on less than GBP5,000 a year. That does not leave much space for private medical insurance or healthcare.
We’re also talking about elderly and infirm people who may not have relatives who can afford to take care of them or pay for their health services.
Instead of wasting US$1 million of voters’ money to produce an advert attacking the UK’s NHS, those American politicians would have spent it more wisely donating it to their local cancer hospital to pay for staff, equipment and patient care.
(2.) Usain Bolt
A different athlete from Roger Federer (a showman more than a gentleman), yet Usain Bolt is just so inspiring with that showmanship and audacity!
A phenomenal sprint to break the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds and we’re all waiting to see him smash the 9.50 barrier next!
