Diarrhea

Today I took my little one year old daughter to the doctor. Since Saturday she suffered from diarrhea, keeping her mom awake and refusing to eat. I bought some over the counter medicine but there weren't any improvement. While I sat waiting for the doctor in the waiting room, I picked up a Time magazine (August 17 2009). I opened it at an article about diarrhea in Africa that until recently killed 1,6 million children each year. By a happy twist of fate they found out that a daily supplement of zinc cures diarrhea quickly and effectively. Also, the Rota virus vacination will soon become the norm and that will save even more lives.

I read about how with great difficulty people ensure that zinc supplements are brought to remote villages. I on the other hand can go to specialized care, a phone call away. My daughter got the Rota virus vaccination without me even knowing it and therefore has the diarrhea very mildly. Had I been living in Mali, my daughter may very well have died of this disease. It's like every day I realise how privileged I am. There are people everywhere who has it really tough.