According
to Screening for Mental Health, mental disorders are a leading cause of disability
in the world. Some mental disorders include: depression, bipolar disorder, generalized
anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and suicide. Although
anyone can get this illness, refugees are especially more vulnerable to these
disorders due to their sufferings of torture and violent conflict. In today’s
society, refugees’ rights of healthcare and protection from torture are far
from being promised. However, due to the dedication of the Minnesota Department
of Health (MDH), the refugees are starting to notice the realization of at
least one of their rights—the right to healthcare
When
I first looked at the article, all I noticed was the refugees’ right to
healthcare being enacted. However, upon reading it a several times, I realized
that this article portrays both the violation and implication of the Universal
Declaration of Human rights. Article 5 of the document states that “no one
shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The way in which the refugees are treated violates both portions of this right.
However, what stood out more to me was rather the implication of the article 25
which states that “everyone has the right to a standard living adequate for the
health and well-being of himself. “
Greg
Vinson, the Senior Researcher and Evaluation Manager states that the mental
sufferings of the refugees are “heartbreaking since we have effective
treatments for these issues.” I agree. Unlike Americans who have easy access to
treatments, the refugees probably can’t even imagine getting close to medical
care. However, they are more susceptible to medical disorders due to their
sufferings, and therefore require more attention. I respect the Minnesota
Department of Health for their decision to offer a mental health screening to
all the newly arrived refugees.
Technology
makes this screening more accessible to the refugees. Honestly, refugees wouldn’t
be able to reach out for help even if they knew they had an illness. The mental
screening is conducted through an online survey, which can be easily accessed. The
refugees are to answer five questions given to them during the initial health
screening exam. If it wasn’t for technology, the refugees would not be able to
escape their suffering, which would lead to a more serious illness and perhaps
death. Therefore, I believe that the Minnesota Department of Health does an
excellent job in integrating technology into protecting the refugees’ rights to
healthcare.
Although
this organization doesn’t directly cure the refugee’s possible illnesses, it
takes a step closer to perfectly protecting the refugees’ rights to healthcare.
And especially in today’s society, technology is a crucial tool in enacting
these rights.
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