In its recent edition, World Health Design Magazine reports on a range of challenges in healthcare, such as aging, chronic diseases and mental health care. The contrasts are great, but the topics are similar for both Europe, which is ravaged by budget cuts, and the emerging economic powers in Latin America. South America has had a major economic boost in the past decade. Fiscal consolidation and market liberalization have not only ensured a healthy economic growth, but also brought the long-awaited and much-needed social reforms within reach.
Brazil is well aware of the fact that it should allocate a large part of the financial resources that are made available for the construction of stadiums to healthcare. Especially in a country like Brazil, where healthcare is a constitutional right. The Ministry of Health of Brazil has indicated that an average of 2½ beds per 1000 inhabitants is considered to be sufficient to fulfil the healthcare demand. A number that is not endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which sets the standard to 4 beds per 1000 inhabitants. This would require for Brazil to expand with another 1,974 new hospitals.
Elsewhere in South America country invest heavily in healthcare. Countries like Argentina, Peru and Chile are determined to go for quality, which is translated into the construction of new modern buildings instead of renovating outdated facilities. However, the geographical distances within these large countries remain huge, making healthcare not always readily available to everyone.
Children’s care still has a long way to go. Although infant mortality decreases, the number of maternal and neonatal deaths still remains high. EGM architecten had the privilege to be the architect for the highly successful Tony Rojas Molleapaza Children's Hospital in Arequipa, Peru. An initiative of the PAZ Holandesa foundation financed by private investors and executed by many volunteers. This project demonstrated that not always a huge budget is needed to achieve something with high quality. This initiative won the prestigious 2013 Design & Health International Academy Award.
Although the efforts are there, it is not easy for every South American country to work with foreign investors and architects. This is partly due to the corruption and opportunism that still plays a role in their society. Also, local healthcare providers who are quite influential tend to finance their own buildings first.
Throughout South America, the living circumstances are improving significantly. This brings along new challenges such as obesity and sustainability and put the countries before a difficult task. A systemic approach is needed to address all these topics together. A fantastic, but intriguing challenge that eventually should bring all South Americans the healthcare they deserve.
Source:
World Health Design, April 2014