Sec 407 Zhang Yangfan 33

Using the case study of AIDS or malaria, assess the following statement:

“The government is solely responsible for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics”.

AIDS, one of the epidemics, killed around 336,000 South Africans between mid-2005 and mid-2006. This essay aims to discuss whether the government is solely responsible for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics, using the case study of AIDS in South Africa. The key terms of the above statement are “solely”, “containment”, “surveillance”, “epidemic” and “disease”. In this essay, solely means alone and without the involvement of other parties. Containment is defined as the act of keeping something dangerous within limits so that it cannot spread in a harmful way. Surveillance, in the context of this question, is keeping watch of the spreading of diseases. Epidemic refers to the widespread of a disease whereas disease is an illness. In one’s opinion, the government is not solely responsible for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics, other factors such as citizens and non-governmental organizations should also play a part.

To begin with, one agrees to a certain extent that the government is greatly responsible for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics because it is responsible for the people’s welfare, including the health of the people. It also has the authority to observe the whole situation and collaborate with hospitals to keep the disease under control. It has large amount of sums for the health sector for the citizens. Simply in Africa, R350 million is separated out for healthcare. With these advantages, the government should provide a baseline of support that takes care of the basic welfare of citizens, which includes controlling the spread of epidemics (AIDS) to ensure the people’s well-being. Moreover, healthcare is defined as the set of services provided by a country for the treatment of the physically and the mentally ill. Therefore, the government, as a representation of a country, is responsible to treat the ill. Furthermore, South Africa has one of the highest top marginal taw rates at 40%, of all middle-income countries. Health care in South Africa varies from basic health care to specialised hi-technology health services which are available in the private sector. The taxes paid by citizens are supposed to be used in the health sector, as such the government should be responsible for the containment and surveillance of disease and epidemic (AIDS). Therefore, the government has to be responsible as they have the authority, and citizens pay taxes to the government which is supposed to be part of health care.

However, except for government, other factors like citizens and non-governmental organizations should also put in effort for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics. It is unwise to let the government undertake all the responsibility because solely depending on the government’s effort is insufficient. In the case of South Africa, the traditional practice of “dry sex” which is retained by 50% even in the cities causes South Africans to be more vulnerable to AIDS. With the help of strong governing leadership, the message on AIDS has been effectively passed on to a diverse population by the government. Furthermore, the African government encourages the public to undergo HIV testing so that people can accept treatment provision. Despite, it takes two hands to clap. The carrying out of the advices given depends on the citizens, thus cooperation of citizens with the government is vital. Only the government’s efforts alone will turn out ineffective and futile without the cooperation of the citizens. Ultimately, each and every individual citizen is responsible for their own health, as well as helping in the prevention of spreading of diseases.

To add on, there can be non-governmental organizations set up to aid the government in educating the citizens and implementing measures. One of such organizations is AVERT. It runs several projects to aid the government. For example, “The Soul City Project” educates people about AIDS through radio, print, and television, using dramas and soap operas to promote its message. The “Beyond Awareness” campaign informs young people about AIDS through the media. “loveLife” integrates HIV prevention messages into their culture, aims to reduce rates of teenage pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infections amongst young South Africans. The campaign attempts to market sexual responsibility through the media. It also operates a network of telephone lines, clinics and youth centers that provide sexual health facilities, as well as an outreach service that travels to remote rural areas, to reach young people who are not in the educational system. With the aid of such organizations, the HIV prevention messages are more widely spread. In this way, these non-governmental organizations are contributing for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics.

In conclusion, I disagree with the statement that the government is solely responsible for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics. Not only is the government’s effort essential and important, but also the collaboration of the citizens and the contribution of the non-government organizations. Only with the help of strong governing leadership, the message on AIDS can be effectively passed on to a diverse population by the government. Being paid the tax, the government is also responsible for providing citizens with an accessible healthcare service. On top of that, every citizen should take care of himself and follow the advices given, in order to make the government’s plan effective and contribute for the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics. Additionally, the effort invested by the non-governmental organizations which aid the government in educating the citizens and implementing measures can accelerate the containment and surveillance of diseases and epidemics. Thus, it is not only the government who should be responsible, citizens and non-governmental organizations should also play a part.

有些书是连着读几个小时都不会累的。翻看《生活的艺术》，益发觉得活着便是一种奢侈，每天清晨醒来能看见天空便应知足。七十年的生命不长不短，但足以让我们去寻找并享受快乐。将日子过得简单些，安然地接受现实，不想太不着边际的问题，每晚临睡前对自己无声地说晚安，平静就是幸福。

我对哲学一词总是充满敬畏，它好像总是高高在上不可捉摸的。林语堂的书，一开始我真的读不懂，后来就挑着看那些能够理解的文字，慢慢地发现深奥的语句直接忽略过去就好，少了它们并不影响阅读。反正自己也只求个囫囵吞枣罢了。

他的思想给我一种心安的坦然，不卑不亢且心平气和地了解并接受人类的欲望，将之视为理所当然。我们都有梦想、智慧与感情，亦都贪图享受与悠闲，时而会犯错误，追求永远达不到的完美。七情六欲，大家都一个样，于是也没有必要遮掩或难为情。一切都是坦荡荡的，无谓做作粉饰，于是一切也更单纯而自然，好像事物本就应是这样的。而事实上它们也的确是这样的。

他对女人的态度让我欣喜。女人在他笔下是美丽、柔媚，可人而充满智慧与诱惑力的生物。“女人是水，男人是泥土。水渗入泥土而使之成形，泥土盛了这水而使之有形质。水即流动生活于这当中而有了具体。”这门学问，我知之甚浅，不予评论。

书中太多道理太多深刻的思想，我还是无法领悟。最大的收获，也许就是明白了生命只是一个过程，一段在时间长河中的摆渡。遇到了一些人一些事，无所谓得，无所谓失，一生也便是如此。最好是能悠闲而惬意地过日子，浮生若梦，为欢几何。