Health Care in Shadows

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/us/10migrant.html?_r=1&ex=1211256000&en=a8a08ef786055855&ei=5070&emc=eta1

 

           

            As already mentioned repeatedly, farmers have one of the most dangerous occupations. At the same time, most of the migrant farmers are working illegally and more importantly, they do not have access to conventional healthcare since they cannot obtain health insurance nor have enough money to go see a doctor. Furthermore, they are anxious to go see a doctor because of the fear that they will be deported from the United States. The traditional healers, curanderas, provide much hope for these farmers who cannot afford conventional healthcare. No matter how absurd these remedies may seem, as long as they provide the placebo effect at the least, they should be continued to be practiced.

 

            Nonetheless, one must note that some of the traditional methods of healing may be harmful. It is extremely important that we inform these curanderas of the detrimental ways of healing. Additionally, we must convince the local doctors to work together with these traditional healers to effectively maintain good health in these farmers.