By Dexter MacBride, JD
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Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. ...Jefferson. Within the past few weeks, the press (news, editorials, columns) have described an intriguing, challenging, almost unbelievable story about hospitals, doctors, mistakes, and the trail of medical errors which cause up to 98,000 deaths a year. It started with a startling report issued in 1999 by the Institute of Medicine (within the Academy of Sciences). The response was immediate. The tocsin sounded: “Improve Patient Safety” (a need demanded in the Hippocratic Oath by the 3rd Century-B.C. “Father of Medicine” who lives on, revered for his understanding of the duties and obligations of physicians, especially: Do no harm to the Patient). Among our nation’s efforts to improve patient safety (many mistakes were buried under the term “iatrogenic”): “The 100,000 Lives Campaign”...sponsored by a Boston not-for-profit group that has obtained the support of some 60% of hospitals. The Goal: “Reduce error related to deaths by a series of deadlines over the next several years.” The group began to campaign in 2004; their first Report, issued in June, cites “as many as 120,000 unnecessary deaths have been prevented.” (“Safe Medicine”; LA Times editorial; 6-20-06). “The 100,000 Lives Campaign” is impressive, creative, needed. I cannot help but wish that the wisdom and compassion which is creating a safer, softer environment for America would respond to even greater tragedy occuring annually in Africa.... our world’s second largest continent. 1,000,000 deaths annually....the result of the malaria epidemic in Africa! The University of California (Davis, Riverside, UCLA, Irvine) together with the State of California’s Mosquito Abatement and Control Districts, have issued a report entitled “Malaria Research and Control in Africa” which describes the global impact in this fashion: – one of world’s oldest, deadliest diseases – infects over 500 million people annually – kills 2.5 to 3 million people each year – disease transmitted by infected female mosquitos |
The Report continues with “Malaria in Africa” : – kills a child every 10 to 15 seconds or 8000 children per day – 90% of global incidence of malaria occurs in Africa Perhaps you will be surprised...as I am...that, anticipatory to the G-8 Meeting (St. Petersburg Russia; July 06), the President of the United States, stated: “The toll of Malaria is even more tragic because the disease itself is highly treatable and preventable. Yet this is also our opportunity, because we know that large-scale action can defeat this disease in whole regions. And the world must take that action. Next week at the G-8, I will urge developed countries and private foundations to join in a broad, aggressive campaign to cut the mortality rate for malaria in half.” Will the message be delivered, and thoughtfully received? Or will it be lost in the war, in nuclear posturing, in Israel/ Lebanon/Iran/Iraq strife; in pressures for oil sources, in massive terror attacks? For my part, I place great hope and confidence in the University of California “team” of researchers (20 faculty, 34 post-doctorates, 37 graduate students, 6 research assistants, 2 undergraduate students)....a group presently “doing Applied and Basic Research, Partnership/Private Sector, Education. The Teams stated “Vision”: “Engage the Malaria Research Group collaborators to implement current vector-based malaria control programs Africa.” The Long-Term Mission: “Research and develop novel control strategies.” As a Trustee, and Past President of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (35 cities and portions of unincorporated territory; covering 1,330 square miles); nationally arid internationally recognized for effective management and for unique vector control programs, I am impressed with the partnership between the University of California and the California Vector Control Districts. Specifically, (1) the UC Malaria Research & Control Group (Department of Entomology, Briggs Hall, UC Davis; Gregory C. Lanzaro, Director) and (2) the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California; Christopher J. Voight, Executive Director. It is my hope that these educators, scientists and vector control specialists will achieve the successes they anticipate and in consequence, 1,000,000 malaria deaths in Africa will decline to miniscule numbers. It happened in Panama, and in the U.S. May it happen in Africa! |