Healthcare in Another World

Sunset

HMMMmmmmnnn an electrical buzz fills the air. Click, someone presses a button, Humph Clunk! Thousands of energized radioactive particles rush out of the cathode, strike the person and pass through instantly.

The electricity dims as the electrical buzz dies off. 

The pale green color; the dimly lit room; the hum of electricity; the room showing its years of use; an individual who knew nothing but first-world healthcare could almost be forgiven for thinking something nefarious was going on. But no, it’s just a 60-year-old machine still serving its original purpose.   

No science fiction here. The x-ray technician had already dialed in all the correct knobs to execute his task perfectly. The x-ray machine takes up the entire room. The control unit is an old faded green and embodies everything you think of when saying the term “medical equipment from the 1960s”. They still use filmstrips and slide them into the room next door. The darkroom technician works quickly, processing the x-rays to pass along to the doctor.

X-ray machine from the 1960s
X-Ray Machine from the 1960s
X-Ray Machine from the 1960s
X-Ray Machine from the 1960s

The Regular Shift

This is just a regular shift in a hospital in a third-world country. In third-world countries, the atypical for first-world countries becomes typical. Modern is rarely a word associated with third-world medical clinics.

In third-world countries, the atypical for first-world countries becomes typical.

They will work just as hard as any first-world hospital to treat and diagnose the patient. Is it another case of pneumonia? Is it a broken leg from yet another transportation accident? Or are they re-imaging the broken hip from the young man that was trampled by an elephant?

As with any emergency room, you never know what will walk in, or in many cases, be carried through the door needing an x-ray.

Here in the United States, and most other first-world countries, x-rays are much more modern. Many styles of x-rays are taken with a portable x-ray machine. The portable x-ray shoots its beam to a receiver plate that rapidly uploads the image over Wi-Fi and can be instantly viewed. No darkroom is needed and the doctor may be miles away. 

The Economics of Healthcare in Developing Nations

Why won’t third-world countries upgrade their ancient technology? Well, much of it comes down to cost. A new portable x-ray machine can cost a quarter-million dollars. They have a working low-cost solution and have not needed to update. 

Healthcare in developing countries is all about doing the most good, in the most efficient manner, with the resources on hand. Sometimes, that leads to solutions many never would have dreamed of.

First-world countries can be a huge blessing to these hospitals by donating their older equipment which is still years or even decades ahead of the technology and resources these other hospitals have. Many organizations will also fund new wings or equipment to help the hospital with its operations. 

Third-world healthcare is rarely up to par with other countries’ health standards. The workers do the best job they can with what they have available. If you are given the opportunity to serve at a hospital with them, take it! Don’t go expecting to have all your usual resources available, though. Any additional resources (including yourself) will be greatly appreciated.

This has been a Red Sky Ready short story. Here we hope to show a small glimpse of life in other cultures around the world as seen through the eyes of a humanitarian worker.

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