polio and German measles are returning to Nicaragua, because of cuts being imposed by the government and the IMF. These diseases were eliminated by the health campaigns of the former Sandinista (FSLN) government.
But the IMF is demanding cuts to 'revive' the economy and the Chamorro UNO government is hell bent on privatising the health service.
Gains undone
Vaccines are in short supply, and the transport to get them where they are needed does not exist. The health gains of the revolution are being undone.
Infant mortality has risen from 6.1 per cent to 7.6 per cent. The health service has been cut back to an expenditure of £10 per person per year.
Wages do not even cover nary families and unemployment is an incredible 60 per cent.
Health centres are closing down. Many people do not go to the doctor any longer because they know they will not be able to afford the drugs.
As health workers' lobs are cut back, those who remain suffer an intolerable strain. Eighty per cent of health workers are women.
They work 12 hours a day. In a Catholic country they have on average between 3-5 children; and the creches are also closing, putting them under further strain.
It Is virtually impossible to take holidays because of the pressure of work. Losing a day's pay and leaving 50 patients untended is not an option.
The Health Minister not wants to totally privatise health care, putting it out of the reach of ordinary Nicaraguans.
ANC's Mandela: his deal wili leave capitalism intact, the struggle unfinished SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No. 55, January 15 1934, Page 11