PHA-Exchange> Privatization of health and "body attachment"

[Claudio]

From: "A. Odutola" <chpss_abo2 at yahoo.com>

> With the creeping spate of privatization and commercialization
> of health fostered on African countries by the World Bank and
> related multi-lateral institutions, come a growing but harrowing
> phenomenon that is not unknown even in the United States of
> America. The phenomenon in discussion is called "body attach-
> ment".
>
> "Body attachment" refers to the unsavory situation in which a
> patient or immediate family member, e.g., new born baby of a re-
> cently delivered mother, is held in custody in hospital or even
> jail as lien for unpaid hospital bill. "Body attachment" is a
> flagrant abuse of human rights that should never happen. But it
> does.
>
> In Africa, the salaried middle class and vulnerable populations,
> made up of the aged, women and children are worst affected. In
> the US, the uninsured and under-insured are most affected.
>
Cases of "body attachments" have been reported from Ghana Nigeria, Kenya and
Uganda in recent times.
>
> Should "body attachment" be condoned or legislated against ? Comments are
welcome.
>
> You may see: Ghana: Korle-Bu detains 23 nursing mothers
>
http://www.datelinehealth-africa.net/betav1.0/news/detailnews.asp?news_id=11
963
>