Severe Injuries In Poor Countires

According to an article in the New York Times, a spinal injury in poor countries today often results in death. The article talks about the poor health care in many poverty stricken countries around the world. It also discusses the struggle of a few individuals who suffered spinal injuries. One six year old Palestinian girl suffered a spinal injury in an Israeli missile strike. Because her spine was injured so high up, she not only loss the use of her limbs, but she also loss the ability to breathe on her own. She was allowed to receive some treatment in Israel but she is now being forced to return to Palestine. Medical centers in Palestine will only be able to provide a fraction of the care she was receiving.
In developed countries money, equipment, and proper care can be used to make life relatively long, even with severe disabilities. In developing countries however, living with severe injuries is practically unheard of, especially if life-long permanent care is required. In developed countries, paraplegics often live long and productive lives, but in developing countries they do not make it past two or three years.
Many hospitals in developing in countries simple lack the ability to deal with certain severe injuries. In hospitals in Zimbabwe people suffering from paralysis are often simply left to die in side wards. Lack of beds in spinal units means newly injured patients sometimes must wait for months in hospitals to receive treatment.
On a personal note, after reading this article all I can do is think of how fortunate I am. There are countless people suffering around the world in developing countries. Poor people with health problems are also suffering here, in the richest nation on the planet. This article makes me think about how some people can be dirt poor with no food for their families, no basic necessities, no roof over their head, but at the same time there are others who get paid millions each year. I cannot help but wonder how this is possible.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/lifestyle-disabled-differences.html