Civil and political rights are critical, but not often the real problem for the destitute sick. My patients in Haiti can now vote but they cant get medical care or clean water. – Paul Farmer
So I cant show you how, exactly, health care is a basic human right. But what I can argue is that no one should have to die of a disease that is treatable. – Paul Farmer
But if youre asking my opinion, I would argue that a social justice approach should be central to medicine and utilized to be central to public health. This could be very simple: the well should take care of the sick. – Paul Farmer
Weve taken on the major health problems of the poorest – tuberculosis, maternal mortality, AIDS, malaria – in four countries. Weve scored some victories in the sense that weve cured or treated thousands and changed the discourse about what is possible. – Paul Farmer