In Latin America today, there are many problems that must be faced by the indigenous populations. One of the most difficult are health issues. The indigenous cultures, because of their lower economic status, are often at highest risk for many of the health problems that plague Honduras today. Unfortunately, Honduras is one of the three poorest countries in Latin America. Therefore, many of the problems faced by the poor are multiplied there.
There are several examples of problems within healthcare as well as the lack of healthcare itself. One example is an incident that occured in August, 1997. A blackout in one of the main hospitals in San Pedro Sula resulted in the deaths of thirteen people by asphyxiation. The patients were not transferred to another hospital until ten hours after the electrical failure. In the sixty one hospitals in the country, patients find that there are not nearly enough staff, beds, medications, or surgical material. Thirty one percent of the population does not ahve access to healthcare. (Mejia, 8)
There are also problems regarding the lack of healthcare in badly needed areas. One problem can be found off the coast of Roatan, where the lobster boats trade what is often referred to as "red gold." Miskito natives, in order to earn enough money to survive, dive to support the industry. However, they dive with rusty equipment, spend an average of five hours between 84 and 114 feet deep. The U.S. navy recommends no longer than twenty minutes at the depths where they commonly work. Mopawi, a Miskito development group, found that 56 Miskito divers have perished and 157 were paralyzed after decompression sickness between 1976 and 1989. As for healthcare centers to care for these divers, there are two in Honduras with decompression chambers. Other than that, most divers use marijuana to mask the pain. (Orlebar, 6) Another reported problem is the reoccurence of birth defects in one particular poor region. 18 out of every 2,000 infants in the Olanchito area are born without brains. This may be caused by the pesticides used by the nearby Standard Fruit Company. ("Birth defects") The poor are helpless against these types of health problems and exploitation.
Honduras also has another growing problem: AIDS. Honduras has the highest number of AIDS cases in Central America. In twelve years, AIDS has killed at least 1,100 people. This equals fifty-seven percent of registered cases in Central America, while Honduras only has seventeen percent of the population. It is projected that there could be close to 120,000 people infected by the year 2000. ("AIDS risks escalate," 1)
Most of the problem with the alarming amount of AIDS cases is attributed to increasing prostitution and the presence of increased numbers of street children in cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. However, a September 1997 study of Garifuna villages by the Honduran Health Ministry showed that one in five Garifuna are likely to carry the HIV virus. This survey only included a few villages, but those sampled yielded very high rates. In one village it was estimated that 49 of the town's 2,500 residents had died from AIDS related diseases.
Unfortunately, the problem does not seem to be getting any better. The planned program to educate Garifuna villages never got off the ground, because the non-governmental organization that was supposed to run classes backed out.
The major problem with the high percentage of cases in the villages seems to be that the villagers themselves refuse to admit that this is a problem because of the discrimination that may accompany it. Even health officials "admit they have a problem throughout the country and also concede that placing excessive attention on the Garifuna infection rate could cause problems both inside and outside the community. (Hegstrom, 1) Discrimination against indigenous peoples is such a prevalent problem that identification with high rates of HIV infection could cause even greater tensions between Honduran society and the Garifuna.
Unfortunately, worrying about external effects may also increase the already high rate of deaths. By denying that AIDS exists to protect themselves, the Garifuna are also putting themselves at greater risk. Without educational programs this can only increase. Garifuna men often work in the cities and return home to their families when they can. The men who remain behind may typically have relations with three or four women. All of these factors together insure that this problem will not go away quickly. Programs sponsored by the President Reina also are underfunded, mainly due to the excess funding allotted to the military. ("Child Dies Needlessly," 8) Looking at all of these factors, it is clear that this is not going to change anytime soon. (Hegstrom, 1)
Works Cited:
"A Child Dies Needlessly Every Hour" Central America Newspak. 9:3, (1994) 8.
"AIDS Risks Escalate" Central America Newspak. 12:14, (1997) 1.
"Birth Defects May Be Linked to Pesticides." Honduras This Week, 2/5/98. http:www.marrder.com/htw/feb98/national.htm (March 7, 1998)
Hegstrom, Edward. "AIDS Ravaging A Unique Culture" Heraldlink. http://www.herald.com/americas/centam/honduras/digdocs/035671.htm (March 7, 1998)
Mejia, Thelma. "13 Deaths Reflect Hospital Crisis." Central America Newspak. 12:14, (1997) 8.
Orlebar, Edward. "Indians Risk Death Diving for Lobsters." Central America Newspak. 8.24. (1994) 6-8.
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This website was a project for Political Science 416, "Race and Politics in the Americas" at Providence College, Spring '98
Prof. Tony Affigne
