The Bolivian People 55Too Easy?
My own case may prove Illich to be right or wrong. Less than fi ve
minutes following a dog bite in La Paz, I decided to zap any potential
infection and rushed to the nearest pharmacy, where I was a regular
customer. Over the counter they sold me antibiotic pills. I had few
illusions but nothing to lose. Was this bad medical practice? Could be.
My case might be an argument for stricter regulations.Bolivian doctors are relatively accessible, and I could have
found one, even though it was a Sunday. Accessibility comes
from supply and demand; there are more doctors than there
are patients who want them or can afford their services.
The two-tiered nature of health care in Bolivia is one of the
reasons for this country’s ranking of 126 among 190 nations
by the World Health Organization. For example, only 65 per
cent of Bolivian births are overseen by skilled attendants. In