| Abstrakt: |
The obvious link between the articles in this issue is that they each come from a different country and culture. However, there is a very strong underlying connection between them, that is, the choice that health carers and patients have – or do not have. Phrases come to mind from lectures on values and principles, about the necessity of choice. Values have to be chosen freely; freedom is only possible because there are choices available; free will has to be exercised in order to be ethical. Much of our world order rests on choices in every sphere and sometimes these choices can be quite overwhelming. Yet, a worse problem is surely when there is no choice and harm is inevitably caused to others by the lack of choice and resources, both human and technical. This is an issue addressed by Henry Akinsola. Most of us cannot imagine what it must be like to be the only nurse for upwards of 2000 people, with no telephone and no proper roads. It is clear that, sooner or later, such nurses can consider only their own survival and everyone else is left with no choice but to fend for themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
