Health Discrimination in Hong Kong - Essay Example

?Running head: HEALTH DISCRIMINATION IN HONG KONG Health Discrimination in Hong Kong (school) Health Discrimination in Hong Kong Introduction There are various social issues in Hong Kong as was demonstrated by previous discussions. Most of these issues are likely to impact on health care policies, making them significant factors to consider in the formulation of future health policies and on the implementation of improvements and changes in these policies. This paper shall discuss the different health priorities which should be made over the coming decade in order to resolve the health inequities within Hong Kong. Specific focus of this discussion would be on racial and gender inequities. This study is being undertaken in order to establish a clearer strategy for improved outcomes in Hong Kong’s healthcare system. Body In order to fix the health inequities which relate to gender in Hong Kong, possible health care priorities in health policies must include HIV/AIDS screening and treatment opportunities open to all citizens regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Another health priority would be the improved access to women seeking maternal and child care before, during, and after their pregnancy. Gender inequities can sometimes be apparent in relation to access of healthcare programs for women sex workers and for homosexuals (Abdullah, et.al., 2000). These gender inequities must be set aside especially as far as AIDS screening and treatment is concerned. Instead, reforms must include the establishment of mandatory annual screening for STDs and AIDS among sex workers (Wong, 2003). This access must be made available to male, female, including homosexual sex workers and anyone seeking access to these same health services. No discrimination in terms of gender must be made before such services can be accessed. This mandatory screening would help manage the AIDS problem in Hong Kong, and ensure that the numbers of AIDS sufferers would decrease. Health reforms should also target the prioritization of services for health workers in relation to AIDS. AIDS has become one of the rapidly growing health issues in the world; it is also one of the most preventable diseases, especially with proper health education and the application of other preventative remedies, like mandatory annuals AIDS and STD screening (Wong, et.al., 2006). Access of sex workers to health services is often hampered by their limited financial resources; moreover, the health system does not make these screenings available to all sex workers due to their limited resources. In effect, future health policies must prioritize the allocation of funds for these mandatory annual screenings for high-risk women and other sex workers (Wong, et.al., 2006). Considerations of income or gender must not be made a basis for who the recipients of these screening services. Inequities in this regard must be neutralized. Future health policies on addressing the gender disparities in health must also include the establishment of outreach clinics for sex workers (Wong, 2003). These specialist centers would help ensure that female sex workers would be able to gain access to essential services based on their convenience. The clinics would be open at hours convenient to them and it would also reduce the stigma from the rest of society (Wong, 2003). In other words, health reform also means accepting the fact that some females work in the sex industry, and the fact that these activities are basically against the law should not be their basis for gaining access to essential health services (Wong, 2003). Female sex workers are fully aware of the fact that there is a stigma against them from the general population; for which reason, they also prefer not to access health services from the main hospitals for fear of being stigmatized. Moreover, society, including hospitals can indeed discriminate against them in terms of equal access to health services (Wong, et.al., 2006). Future reforms in health care must therefore include a more specific program which would address the health issues of these female sex workers. This would minimize the stigma on these women and also encourage them to seek the essential health services, most especially AIDS screening services. Health reforms must also be made in order to improve the skills of doctors and other health professionals in managing the barriers to sensitive issues like HIV/AIDS, STDs, and even condom use (Wong, 2003). These doctors and health professionals must be taught how to approach female sex workers, to discuss with them their health issues and risks, and to consider their options. Rules on confidentiality for women testing positive for AIDS must also be well-understood by health workers. Maintaining such confidence would help secure rapport and a trusting relationship with the female sex worker or the AIDS-positive patient. Breaking such confidentiality and similar ethical requirements may cause these clients to refuse health services or even to heed advice for safe sex (Wong, 2003). Another aspect of health care in Hong Kong which needs to be addressed is the fact that female migrant populations have limited access to health services. In order to address this issue, health services for these workers must not be controlled or unfairly allocated (Bandyopadhyay and Thomas, 2002). There are about 200,000 women migrant workers in Hong Kong, and health reforms must be established in order to give them all access to AIDS-related information, as well as access to health facilities, and health screening services. Majority of these migrant females in Hong Kong are sex workers, and they must also be given the same privileges given to other citizens in Hong Kong (Bandyopadhyay and Thomas, 2002). The more that their issues are not addressed, the more that they put themselves at risk for AIDS and related diseases; they would also likely spread these diseases to their clients if their health issue remains unaddressed. Aside from AIDS, women’s access to other health services, including maternal care must also be made available. Women often have varying needs at different points in their life. As teens, they may have issues in relation to changes in their body. The issue of sexual promiscuity, development, menstruation, early pregnancy, and abortion may arise if pubertal problems among teenage girls are unaddressed (Leung, 2009). Among adult women, issues of caring for children, their spouses, their career, and their social life may often be overwhelming (Leung, 2009). Issues of stress, dissatisfaction, post-partum disorder, depression, and similar issues may often emerge. As they reach their older adult stage, issues of menopause may also arise and when improperly managed, this can cause mental distress and despair (Leung, 2009). Health reforms must therefore be made in order to introduce changes in the community, in the workplace, and generally, the lives of these women. Health reforms in the workplace must include psychological assistance for job-related stress or any other psychiatric assistance to reduce workplace stress. Reforms must also include a program which would include healthy living, enhancing awareness and supporting health education. Health education programs must include information on breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer, as well as menopause, menstrual disorders, weight management, and other urogynecological issues (Leung, 2009). These are issues common among women, and these are also preventable and manageable with proper health education and early detection practices. The goal of these reform activities is to make women aware of the wide-range of health issues they may encounter and what can be done in order to eventually assist them in enjoying a quality life (Leung, 2009). As mothers, they can also help influence their children and their families to live similarly healthy lives; therefore, health reforms targeting these women would produce the best health outcomes for the larger population. Another issue which needs to be addressed is that of racial discrimination. This issue often prevents equal access to health services, as well as other social services, and job opportunities. In order to address this problem, future health reform must revolve around the establishment of equal access to health services regardless of race or ethnicity (Rajwani, 2004). Migrants in Hong Kong therefore must also be given access to the same health services which are offered to their Chinese counterparts in Hong Kong. Health benefits and health insurance must be made available to them as part of their work contracts with their employees. They must also be afforded access to health facilities under government control; and since these services are free, they must be able to access these services as free, and with the same quality as other services offered to non-migrants (Rajwani, 2004). Another reform which may be provided is for employers of domestic helpers in Hong Kong to be liable for fines and/or criminal liability for failing to provide healthcare for their helpers. A good majority of workers in Hong Kong are migrant or foreign domestic helpers from the Philippines, mainland China, Malaysia, and even Africa (Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, 2006). Some of these domestic helpers do not have health coverage as part of their benefits as employees. Moreover, reports of physical and sexual abuse on these helpers have also been reported. Health reforms must include provisions and remedies which should address this problem. All employers seeking foreign domestic helpers must pass through legitimate government agencies in order to review employment contracts (Morrow and Stegger, 2011). These contracts must include provisions for health coverage and related benefits. Without these inclusive details, no contract can be signed between the parties. Employers failing to provide such services even after contract signing must be afforded the proper warnings and possible civil or criminal liabilities after failing to comply with the minimum legal requirements (Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, 2006). Hospitals and other treatment centers must also be reformed in terms of policies in treating patients (Morrow and Steger, 2011). These policies must not distinguish between the migrant and the non-migrant population. All individuals seeking medical care in these facilities must therefore be allowed to gain such services, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, there are various future reforms which the government needs to implement in order to address gender-based and race-based inequities in health care. First and foremost, gender-based discrimination which is often seen among female sex workers must be adequately addressed. Reforms would include AIDS and STD screening, as well as health services readily available to these sex workers. For others who may also be at risk for contracting these diseases, they must be allowed the opportunity to avail of services which can potentially improve their health outcomes. Females encounter different issues at different points in their life, and they must be afforded the related and appropriate health services as they need it. These reforms and services would ultimately benefit them as well as their family members. Reforms must also focus on the elimination of racial discrimination. These reforms must concentrate on the imposition or civil or criminal punishment for employers and other concerned individuals not providing patients with health benefits and insurance due to racial considerations. Patients must not also be turned away from hospitals and treatment facilities due to racial considerations; moreover, they must also not be given a lesser quality of services based on their race. All in all, these reforms can eventually provide improved outcomes for patients in Hong Kong. References Bandyopadhyay, M. & Thomas, J. (2002). Women migrant workers' vulnerability to HIV infection in Hong Kong. AIDS Care, 14(4), pp. 509-21. Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor (2006). Backgrounder on enacting a racial discrimination legislation for Hong Kong. Retrieved 06 December 2011 from www.hkhrm.org.hk/racial%20discrimination/.../... Leung, J. (2009). Current Role of Maternal and Child Health Service. Medical Bulletin, 14(3). Retrieved 06 December 2011 from http://www.fmshk.org/database/articles/03mb04_3.pdf Morrow, A. & Stegger, I. (2006). Helpers Win Residency Ruling in Hong Kong. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 06 December 2011 from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204138204576601701185534270.html Rajwani, V. (2004). Combating Racial Discrimination in Hong Kong-Case studies identifying and examining the characteristics and effects of direct and indirect discrimination. University of Hong Kong. Retrieved 06 December 2011 from http://www.hkhrm.org.hk/0905seminar/Vandana_paper.pdf Wong, W., Holroyd, E., Gray, A., & Ling, D. (2006). Female street sex workers in Hong Kong: moving beyond sexual health. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 15(4):390-9. Wong, W. (2003). The health of female sex workers in Hong Kong: do we care? Hong Kong Med J, 9(6), Read More