Sanitary justice in scarcity Justicia sanitaria en la escasez
Justice in health care and the allocation of scarce medical resources must be analyzed differently in affluent as compared to economically weaker societies. The protective functions of the state must be extended to cover basic needs for those too poor to meet them on their own. Medical needs are a h...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
1999-01-01
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| Series: | Cadernos de Saúde Pública |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-311X1999000500006 |
| Summary: | Justice in health care and the allocation of scarce medical resources must be analyzed differently in affluent as compared to economically weaker societies. The protective functions of the state must be extended to cover basic needs for those too poor to meet them on their own. Medical needs are a high priority, since poor health hampers the ability to secure other basic needs. The state may operate as either a health care provider or supervisor, guaranteeing that citizens be treated fairly by nongovernmental institutions. Two-tiered systems with a vigorous private health care sector are compatible with the explicit right to health care, provided the private tier operates without directly or indirectly draining public funds.<br>Es preciso hacer un distingo entre justicia sanitaria y distribución de recursos médicos escasos, según se trate de sociedadespudientes o aquellas que son económicamente débiles. Las tradicionales funciones protectoras del Estado deben extenderse para cubrir las necesidades médicas, que a su vez tienen prioridad porque la salud es indispensable para poder solventar otras necesidades básicas. El Estado puede operar como proveedor de atención médica, o como fiscalizador de la ecuanimidad de servicios otorgados por otras instituciones. El derecho a atención médica es compatible con un sistema paralelo de medicina privada, siempre que ello no signifique drenar directa o indirectamente recursos del sistema público |
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| ISSN: | 0102-311X 1678-4464 |