Diseases and medicines have been co-existing for hundreds if not thousands of years. Ever since man took his first steps in civilization diseases and illness have plagued him continuously. To combat these, man has evolved various methods of treatment, some of which are preventive and some of which are reactive.
Medical advancements over the past century have been dramatic and they have found out cures for many ailments which thus far were incurable and were causing death and destruction on a large scale. One such example is the eradication of small pox from the face of this earth. Even 50 years ago this disease was a giant killer especially poor and underdeveloped countries of Asia and Africa. The invention of small pox vaccination as a preventive method to fight this disease is one small example of the advancement of medical science coming to the rescue of mankind.
But this is only a small step. Even today as we ready this article, thousands of people around the world go without the basic health facilities like good hospitals, clinics and even if they are available, it is out of bounds for the vast majority who continue to languish in a world of abysmal poverty and depravation. Though doctors, research scientists have been doing a great job it is the administration, bureaucrats and politicians who have been letting down their fellow human beings in their quest for wealth and power.
The benefits of medical advancements will reach the poor only if there is concerted efforts for all those who matter and only when there is a change in the mindset which should more of service over profit. Till then newer and newer discoveries will happen in the field of medicine the results of which will not percolate down to the neediest. The earlier it happens the better it will be for mankind in general and the needy in particular.