The Experience of Suffering in Conditions of Inequality: an Analysis of the Ideas of Paul Farmer

Abstract

This article discusses some of the results of the leading representative of the Harvard School of medical anthropology professor Paul Farmer. It is analyzed his work to create a public health system in Haiti, it is shown the relationship between this work and medical practice in the United States, as well as trips to Cuba and Russia as part of the treatment of tuberculosis campaign. Farmer’s work as a doctor is closely related to his study of the problems of social inequality, structural violence and inequitable distribution of resources. Attention is given to the discussion of his views on global inequalities in health, which is embodied in the facts of the uneven distribution of mortality from infectious diseases between rich and poor countries and between rich and poor in the same country. It is shown that structural violence is embodied in a sustainable and obscure the trends of humiliation and suppression of some social groups by others, of developing societies by developed. The consequence of structural violence is the suffering of individuals and entire societies, deprived of access to basic resources of life support, i.e. food, decent housing, quality health care. Farmer’s research of the experience of suffering in Haiti revealed two main reasons for it, rooted in the colonial and post-colonial history of the country, political violence and the high incidence of infections. Farmer’s non-profit organization "Partners in Health” for more than three decades, has an important humanitarian mission in Haiti and abroad, provides free health care of high quality to all in need. Within this framework, Farmer had to critically rethink the WHO’s experience in aiding the population of developing countries, demonstrating that treatment in the Third World must also be based on the principles of social justice, with the involvement of all possible resources.