Monday, October 09, 2006
PAY UP!
Money! Money ! Money! No matter where you go money has been, will be, and still is the most consistent and worldwide known factor. Unfortunately for the residents of Bangalore, money is not consistent in their households. The article, "Where a Cuddle With Your Baby Requires a Bribe" by CELIA W. DUGGER, she shows how poverty stricken families are being robbed of the minimal funds they do have. Women who have given birth to their babies must pay a fee (bribe) just to see them for the first time. To see a baby cost between $7.00 and $11.00. These families only make up to 10 dollars a month, sometimes a dollar a day, and all of their savings goes towards one look at their own flesh and blood.
"Poor people paid 17 percent of their incomes in bribes for medical care, while the middle class paid only 3 percent" according to the World Bank Institute. Nurses take the newborns and demand money while the doctors are nowhere to be found. It is a never-ending cycle. In this situation the poor stay poor and rich stay rich, but the poor still pay more for everything then the rich does. "No matter where the corruption starts, it moves down through the ranks and finally to the poor, for whom it is an inescapable burden".
One woman had to pay 10 dollars out her 11 dollar a month income to see her grand-daughter. Government officials have been step in place to try and stop this crime, but it will never truly die because the poor is too afraid to speak out. They feel if they speak against the hospital officials, their infants will be treated bad medically. They do not want to risk the health or lives of their babies. Although the hospital bribes are decreasing, all of the loop holes will not be filled.
"Poor people paid 17 percent of their incomes in bribes for medical care, while the middle class paid only 3 percent" according to the World Bank Institute. Nurses take the newborns and demand money while the doctors are nowhere to be found. It is a never-ending cycle. In this situation the poor stay poor and rich stay rich, but the poor still pay more for everything then the rich does. "No matter where the corruption starts, it moves down through the ranks and finally to the poor, for whom it is an inescapable burden".
One woman had to pay 10 dollars out her 11 dollar a month income to see her grand-daughter. Government officials have been step in place to try and stop this crime, but it will never truly die because the poor is too afraid to speak out. They feel if they speak against the hospital officials, their infants will be treated bad medically. They do not want to risk the health or lives of their babies. Although the hospital bribes are decreasing, all of the loop holes will not be filled.
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