Health Care For Poor Children?

A new report by the U.S. Save the Children organization claims about 10 million children die every year from easily preventable and treatable diseases. It added that more than half of those could be saved with what they term “basic medical services”.

The report found that more than 200 million children under age five lack the basic healt hcare services which include immunizations, antibiotics, skilled care at childbirth and treatment for diarrhea and pneumonia. The 55 nations surveyed in the study account for nearly 60 percent of the world's population of children under five and 83 percent of all child deaths.

The research also revealed the worst countries as Laos, Yemen, Chad, Somalia and especially Ethiopia, where a horrendous 84% of children lack adequate medical attention. On the other end of the spectrum was the Philippines, which does the best job of providing basic care. But even in the Philippines, 31% of the young children are under-protected, and families there pay 44 percent of general health costs. This, of course, leaves the very poor most vulnerable. Dr. Stephanie Sison, of Save The Children in Manila, says that mobilizing effective community health workers is the key to the success in the Philippines because they live in the community and are able to educate mothers directly.

The above statistics are almost too hard to comprehend in the United States of America. The U.S. health care system is still the envy of most of the world and is always a prominent issue for many families and especially in the political realm.

Former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee espouses that the nation does not have so much a health ‘care’ crisis as much as it has a literal ‘health’ crisis. The former Arkansas Governor feels that the 80% of money spent on dealing with chronic illness in older age could be dramatically reduced through better caring for the body long before most preventable troubles begin. He explains that, although the quantity of life for Americans is increasing, that the quality of their physical condition often leaves much to be desired. His views come from firsthand experience when he lost over 100 pounds after being told by physicians that he would die if serious evasive action was not taken – and quickly. His point is simply that healthy and moral lifestyles are key to both a better physical and better economic life.

Physical and spiritual health, and health care, issues have numerous similarities and contrasts. The most crucial contrast is that spiritual wellness is not the exclusive possession of those fortunate enough to afford to purchase it. John 3:16 declares it can be the property of any who come to Christ in faith. The apostle writes there, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Acts 2 substantiates this great truth in verse 22. “That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." Salvation is clearly for ‘whoever’ and not only for whoever can pay.

Scripture also speaks to the preventive and healing power of God’s living word. The Psalmist knew this well from experience when he penned his thoughts in chapter 119. First, he answered his own profound question in verse 9. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” Then Scripture's ability to hinder sin while still in the temptation stage is revealed through verse 10. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

During His earthly ministry Jesus did heal some that were sick. He occasionally even raised the dead. But His primary reason for doing so was to substantiate His deity and role as the Messiah. It was not to just relieve physical suffering. That was simply a loving by-product for those He miraculously touched. But His main task was always to heal the damaged souls of sinful men and women. He identified those in need in Matthew 9 and His unique ability to meet that crisis in Luke 19. Through Matthew’s gospel we read in verse 12, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Then Luke 10:19 He spoke of the purpose of the incarnation. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Christ knew, as only the Creator God could, that physical healing is desirable, but that spiritual health is essential! Only He could fully know the unimaginable horrors of hell and the unfathomable blessings heavenly.

The plan in the Philippines of mobilizing local health workers for increased medical success is a model for reaching the world with the soul-saving power of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-9 provides perhaps the Bible’s most effective and complimented pattern for successful evangelistic outreach and widespread spiritual health. “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.”

In a fallen world the existence physical agony will never be preventable. But in Christ, the universal plague and penalty of human sin is fully curable!

Bill Breckenridge