Discuss the Factors That Contribute to the Unequal Access to Health Care and Escalation of the Health Care Cost, Making Specific Reference to Trinidad and Tobago. Suggest Recommendation That May Assist in Alleviating These Challenges
Introduction
This essay focuses on the comparing and contrasting the functionalist, conflict and symbolic interaction perspective on the health care system in Trinidad and Tobago and its problems. Functionalists note that health is essential to the preservation of the human species and organized social life. One way societies contain the negative effects of health problems and disease is through institutionalizing illness in a sick role. Conflict theorists note that some people achieve better health than others because they have access to those resources that contribute to good health and recovery should they become ill. And finally, symbolic Interactionist theorists view sickness as a condition to which we attach socially devised meanings. For example, an increasing number of behaviors that earlier generations defined as immoral or sinful are coming to be seen as forms of sickness the medicalization of deviance.
The ministry of health is in the business of promoting wellness and ensuring the availability of quality health care to the people of Trinidad and Tobago in an affordable, sustainable and equitable manner. Although some advances were made, problems and inadequacies in the delivery of health care persisted. In addition, the Health Sector Reform Programme was developed with the aim of decentralizing the health services. The government of Trinidad and Tobago takes into account the WHO definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. (WHO, 1986).
Health care therefore, is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions.
In an attempt to address the problems the government of Trinidad and Tobago via the ministry of health implemented, the plan to decentralize the health services which was cultivated by strengthening the policy-making,
This essay focuses on the comparing and contrasting the functionalist, conflict and symbolic interaction perspective on the health care system in Trinidad and Tobago and its problems. Functionalists note that health is essential to the preservation of the human species and organized social life. One way societies contain the negative effects of health problems and disease is through institutionalizing illness in a sick role. Conflict theorists note that some people achieve better health than others because they have access to those resources that contribute to good health and recovery should they become ill. And finally, symbolic Interactionist theorists view sickness as a condition to which we attach socially devised meanings. For example, an increasing number of behaviors that earlier generations defined as immoral or sinful are coming to be seen as forms of sickness the medicalization of deviance.
The ministry of health is in the business of promoting wellness and ensuring the availability of quality health care to the people of Trinidad and Tobago in an affordable, sustainable and equitable manner. Although some advances were made, problems and inadequacies in the delivery of health care persisted. In addition, the Health Sector Reform Programme was developed with the aim of decentralizing the health services. The government of Trinidad and Tobago takes into account the WHO definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. (WHO, 1986).
Health care therefore, is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions.
In an attempt to address the problems the government of Trinidad and Tobago via the ministry of health implemented, the plan to decentralize the health services which was cultivated by strengthening the policy-making,
References: Akhan (2010). 2009-2010 budget statement. Ministry of Finance: Trinidad and Tobago. Blumer, Herbert (1987) Farlex, (2007). The American Heritage medical dictionary. Definition of health. Houghton Mifflin Co. Giddens, Anthony (2006) Gucston, C. (2000). Mental Health Plan. Ministry of Finance: Trinidad and Tobago: Harolambos, Mand & Holborn, M (2000) Kendall, Diana. (2007). Cooley & the looking Glass Self. Sociology in our times: the essentials. Mooney, L A. & Knox, D and Schacth, C. (2009). Understanding Social Problems. Belmont CA. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning Narace, Jerry (2009), Ministry of Health: Transformational Plan Navarro (1993, 2000). Nelson Education Limited: Canada Stolley, Kathy. (2005). The basic of sociology. USA: Greenwood Publishing Group. Inc. Talcott Parsons (1951, 1953) TRHA (2004). Regional Health Authorities Act No. 5, Part 11, section 6. Ministry of Health. Trinidad and Tobago.