Operation of healthcare
The number of trained medical practitioners in an economy determines the level of health care available to the population. Although research demographics would categorize countries according to the proportion of individuals per doctor, the current delivery of health care is a result of trained practitioners coming together in the industry. Other sectors that are active participants in ensuring delivery of health care to individual citizens are pharmacies, hospitals, health care equipment, and services companies (Broyles & Narine, 941-967).
Other providers of health care
Although it is the sole responsibility of a government to provide health care for its citizens, this has not always been the case in politically unstable nations. Rebel groups and tribal clashes have interfered with the health care systems that governments had in place. As if by luck, the presence of the United Nation’s World Health Organization (WHO) in the war zones has enabled the provision of health care even to the most rural of places (Phelps, 125-135).
Other health care systems of the world
Over a long period now, insurance companies and other stakeholders have lived with the notion that the U.S. has the best health care system in the world. However, a recent study comparing the U.S. with other world health care systems has established that over 40 million Americans are without health insurance. In their study, Broyles & Narine (971-973) established the measurements by which a good system was compared to a bad system. Among the factors were: generally good health with relatively low infant mortality rate; equitable distribution or emergency responsiveness across the nation; high levels of response when contacted; fair distribution of health costs depending on the ability to pay and a fair distribution of relatively good health. According to the findings, the U.S. stood out as the most expensive health care system.
Conclusion
The physical health of a country’s population is an important indicator of how well the government is performing. The less developed countries at most times suffer from the lack of trained personnel and professionals and as such prefer to limit rather than outsource health care services. Alternatively, internationally recognized organizations such as WHO have come to the rescue of such states. Contrary to common belief, research conducted to compare health care systems in the countries of the world has established that U.S. is the most expensive health care system.
Work cited
Broyles, H. R. & Narine, S. Uncertainty and the welfare economics of medical care. American Economic Review, 53 (2005): 941-973.
Phelps, C. E. Health Economics. 3rd Ed. Boston, MA: Addison Wesley, 112-135: 2002.
