How Can We Let This Happen?

My sister asked me when I told her about my HIV "So the people in Africa are dying simply because of no medication?". My answer was "Yes".

They are too poor to afford it, or their gov is too busy fighting it's neighbour to afford it. Drug companies charge an arm and a leg for it. The drugs are there, available. But out of reach for these people.

They are human beings, just like us. They are part of their society just like us. They have friends, neighbours, family, just like us. Yet by the chance of birth that decides where they live, they die. Even the drugs they do get are ones we don't want any more in the West; out of date and side effects too intrusive.