Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Church helping state...

Or rather, helping the poor, and trying to re-balance the sex ratio. "Indian government invites church to cooperation in medical sphere" on Asianet (Also via Amy).

New Delhi (AsiaNews) – The Indian Health Minister wishes to collaborate with leaders of Catholic and other religious communities to control disparity in the gender ratio and to upgrade the country’s health system.
[snip]

According to a government survey, the number of females per 1,000 males is highest in Christian communities (964/1000); followed by Muslims (950/1000) and Buddhists (942/1000). Sikhs come last (786/1000) while the religion of the majority, Hinduism, comes somewhere in the middle (925/1000).
[snip] (Why is the sex-ratio so skewed? Well ... selective abortions of females, in a culture that highly prizes sons)

Fr Vadakumthala continued: “We have nearly 600 Sisters who are doctors and in India this is unique. The Sisters work in 95% of villages which otherwise would not have any provision of medical services because it is not cost-effective to open clinics or dispensaries and so not even private enterprises set up in these places. Nearly all doctors go to cities.

Another Asianet story on a campaign to stop selective abortions in Mumbai, launched by the municipal corporation. Given how endemic corruption is at the municipal level, all I'm going to say is good luck!

No comments: