Gates Foundation Vaccinations: Partial Solution & Partial Problem
The Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $ 5.6 billion for global health programs since 1995. The larger amounts have gone for vaccinations. Recently they added an additional $ 250 million for research to eliminate malaria and genetically alter insects that carry disease.
Bill Gates said," Some point to the better health in the developed world and say that the only sure way to improve health is to end poverty. We have a different view. The world didn't have to eliminate poverty in order to eliminate smallpox and we don't have to reduce poverty before we reduce milaria".
Has Mr. Gates got it backwards? Could health care contribute to poverty? Can increases in population in an overcrowded area work against good intentions? Yes they can.
Recently the continuing project called the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, funded by a $ 24 million U N grant issued a report based on the research of 1300 ecologists from 95 countries. The results indicated a large part of planet degradation ( loss of life-supporting capabilities) was attributed to human causes. This included deforestation, over-fishing, water contamination and over-population. The report cited sub-Sahara Africa as a prime example-" dry-land ecosystem". Approximately 2 billion people live in a "dry-land ecosystem". The Sudan is one of those areas. A lack of water, poor soil and over-population have contributed to malnutrition( cause of 50% of childhood deaths),disease and recently a civil war. The war is more about crowded living and lack of resources than a religious conflict.
The well-meaning Gates Foundation may exacerbate the overall problem in it's pursuit of vaccinations without including a long term plan to help secure a sustainable future. The vaccinations and health care have indeed helped the needy Sudanese to survive. But where will the survivors get additional water and food to enjoy a quality of life that is sustainable?
Mr Gates should instruct his foundation to model it's philanthropic help on a basic computer set up. The Sudanese lack the natural resources ( operating system) to support future growth in population. Vaccinations ( anti-virus software) while relative to an immediate problem sets up larger challenges of survivors later. The Sudanese need a comprehensive consultation ( help desk) in land conservation, water recovery and most importantly birth control.
Bill Gates said," Some point to the better health in the developed world and say that the only sure way to improve health is to end poverty. We have a different view. The world didn't have to eliminate poverty in order to eliminate smallpox and we don't have to reduce poverty before we reduce milaria".
Has Mr. Gates got it backwards? Could health care contribute to poverty? Can increases in population in an overcrowded area work against good intentions? Yes they can.
Recently the continuing project called the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, funded by a $ 24 million U N grant issued a report based on the research of 1300 ecologists from 95 countries. The results indicated a large part of planet degradation ( loss of life-supporting capabilities) was attributed to human causes. This included deforestation, over-fishing, water contamination and over-population. The report cited sub-Sahara Africa as a prime example-" dry-land ecosystem". Approximately 2 billion people live in a "dry-land ecosystem". The Sudan is one of those areas. A lack of water, poor soil and over-population have contributed to malnutrition( cause of 50% of childhood deaths),disease and recently a civil war. The war is more about crowded living and lack of resources than a religious conflict.
The well-meaning Gates Foundation may exacerbate the overall problem in it's pursuit of vaccinations without including a long term plan to help secure a sustainable future. The vaccinations and health care have indeed helped the needy Sudanese to survive. But where will the survivors get additional water and food to enjoy a quality of life that is sustainable?
Mr Gates should instruct his foundation to model it's philanthropic help on a basic computer set up. The Sudanese lack the natural resources ( operating system) to support future growth in population. Vaccinations ( anti-virus software) while relative to an immediate problem sets up larger challenges of survivors later. The Sudanese need a comprehensive consultation ( help desk) in land conservation, water recovery and most importantly birth control.
posted by Barry Leonardini at 8:42 AM
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