global health ethics

Question 1

what does the WHO constitution state (2006)?

internationl document

Answer 1

the enjoymnet of the highest attainable stndard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political beleif, economic or social condition.

Question 2

what does the Universal declaration of Human rights (UN- 1948)

international document

Answer 2

• everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family.
• motherhood and childhood are entiled to special assistance.

Question 3

what does the international covenant of economic, social and cultural rights state? (1976)

Answer 3

The states partied to the present covenant recognise the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

Question 4

what does the UN convention on the rights of the child state (1990)?

Answer 4

states parites recognise the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilitate for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.

Question 5

why are infectious diseases a global ethical issue?

Answer 5

• unrivalled consequences
• control measures raise important questions related to the violation of important rights:
• right to freedom of movement
• right to privacy
• right to informed consent
• Justice
• Diseasesdo do not respect boundries.

Question 6

what are the 6 considerations (ethics of isolation and quarantine) that Michael Selgelid made?

Answer 6

• it must be effective in controlling the disease
• if less restricitve measures acheive the same effect, use them
• the conseqeunces of not quarantining must be severe
• must be implemented in an equitable msnner
• those contained myst receive compensation

Question 7

what is a good moral reason for carrying out research in developing countries?

Answer 7

• due to their health inequlaities.
• disproportionate burden of disease
• value of research in developing countries

Eg- the world bank, in 2006, done research into maternal mortality rates and it was found to be the highest in the least developed countries (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Question 8

what are the reasons to not perform research and clinical trials in devolping countries?

Answer 8

• less stringent ethical standards
• cost
• number of participants (particularly drug naive)

Question 9

what are important considerations when performing research and clinical trials?

Answer 9

• ethical review and protection of the participants
• the healthcare infrastructure
• valid consent
• community engagment
• benefits to the partivipants after the trial if over
• the importance of collaberating with local scientists

Question 10

what is the duty of doctors in disaste and war?

Answer 10

aid agencies and moral choices in war and disatser

Question 11

what are the medical ethics in time of conflict?

Answer 11

identical to the medical ethics in times of peace, as stated in the international code of medical ethics of the WMA

Question 12

describe a time of ethics in practise?

EBOLA

Answer 12

there were a number of issues related to the areas of medical ethics discussed surroundiung ebola:
- health and human rights
- quarantine and isolation
- justice: acess to medicine

Question 13

what did the outbreak of ebola highlight inequalities and issues surrounding justice?

Answer 13

• ebola was centered around some of the poorest countries in the world
• due to:
• lack of basic healthcare facilities to treat patients
• lack of basic disease response infrastructure

Question 14

for short term projects in devloping countries, what do you need to consider?

Answer 14

• stay within your competance
• maintain ethical standards
• develop “cultural competance”
• minimis burden on host country and healthcare systems