Energy and Health Crisis
Orange County, CA - July 29th, 2019 - Amid catastrophic conditions, the South American country is looking for solutions.
Last week, Venezuela introduced a two-day work week moratorium on all public sector workers as an energy-saving measure, citing the drought’s effect on their main hydroelectric dam as the reason for their lack of energy.
However, the South American country has also been dealing with a major health crisis since and economic emergency since 2014. The impact of these compounding issues puts Venezuela on the brink of default, or worst, total collapse.
Since oil is at its historically lowest price per barrel ever, it’s no surprise that the country—whose main export is crude oil—is experiencing the effects of an instable market. Economists are citing former President Hugo Chavez’s mismanagement and strict government-mandated currency controls as the basis to the current state of Venezuela. Chavez won the presidency in a 1998 landslide victory. One tenet of his political agenda included establishing free healthcare.
Before Chavez assumed office, the Venezuelan government administered over 70% of health services. President Campins had increased medical funding by 9.7% annually for four years and designated $1.2 billion for the construction of new facilities. During that time, 47% of medical goods came from the United States and many Venezuelan doctors were trained in the United States.
Chavez’s presidency continued the constructive policies set forth by Campins - he created new diagnostic centers, increased the amount of doctors in the country, and was able to drop infant mortality rates as life expectancy rates rose. Despite that, his economic policy and untimely death has culminated in major inflation, consequently causing the free health care system to deteriorate.
Currently, conditions are literally causing death. The Venezuelan Medical Federation reported that 15,000 doctors had left the government health care system due to shortages in equipment and drugs, as well as low pay. Thousands do not have access to medical treatment whereas even more have been waitlisted for surgery because doctors do not have the medical equipment necessary to administer aid.
On a recent trip to Venezuela, Human Rights Watch found that basic medicine like acetaminophen, syringes, gauze, needles, imaging accessories, among others, to be severely lacking.
Addressing this terrible health crisis necessarily demands that the Venezuelan government introduce political and economic reform. The energy and health care crisis could probably have been avoided had Chavez improved infrastructure and invested in Venezuelan medical care.
Finding a solution also requires the country to change currency policies, so Venezuelans are not wholly dependent on the government for all their goods.
In 2014, Ampronix indirectly helped a medical clinic in the country, but through a third party oil business based in America. The Venezuelan company sought to purchase updated medical equipment, but could not directly do so because their country presents many barriers to conducting international business.
We also do extensive business with General Electric (GE), a company that has been in Venezuela since 1927, helping with technology and healthcare solutions, among others. GE’s knowledge with the Venezuelan market, as well as their experience with installation and maintenance in the country’s infrastructure in the past, can be a perfect springboard Venezuela bounces back with.
Venezuela was once revered for the scope to which their free health care system prospered. With the right aid and equipment, we are confident that faith can be restored in it once again.
Contact Ampronix:
Email: info@ampronix.com
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Domestic Sales: 1800-400-7972 for US and Canada
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About Ampronix
Ampronix is a renowned authorized master distributor of the medical industry's top brands as well as a world class manufacturer of innovative technology. Since 1982, Ampronix has been dedicated to meeting the growing needs of the medical community with its extensive product knowledge, outstanding service, and state-of-the-art repair facility. Ampronix prides itself on its ability to offer tailored, one-stop solutions at a faster and more cost effective rate than other manufacturers. Ampronix is an ISO & ANSI/ESD certified facility. To learn more go here.
Energy and Health Crisis Orange County, CA – July 29th, 2019 – Amid catastrophic conditions, the South American country is looking for solutions. Last week, Venezuela introduced a two-day work week moratorium on all public sector workers as an energy-saving measure, citing the drought’s effect on their main hydroelectric dam as the reason for their […]