The high costs of health care make lung disease lethal.
Beijing (AsiaNews/SCMP) China, the largest coal user in the world, can also claim a most unenviable record, that of the highest number of coal miners with lung problems.
Coal miners have traditionally faced prolonged exposure to harmful dust particles leading to higher than average rates of lung disease. According to official figures, in Mainland China this has meant 580,000 cases of pneumoconiosis (scarring of the lungs due to long-term occupational inhalation of different kinds of dust) by the end of 2002.
For many in China's medical profession most cases have however not been reported. The official figures are in fact but a rough estimate based on a 1986 survey updated annually by adding about 15,000 new cases per year.
Chinese authorities ordered a survey in Liaoning and Shanxi provinces to understand the real extent of the problem and help them face the health emergency. The Ministry of Civil Affairs also launched a drive to raise funds to help sick miners. The money collected would allow a hospital in Heibei province to open 600/1000 new beds for patients suffering from respiratory problems. Li Yuhan, the hospital's director, has become a strong backer of the initiative hoping that other health care facilities would follow the example of his hospital.
Cost remains however a serious obstacle to proper health care for miners. The only proven therapy so far involves washing coal dust in the lungs with a saline solution. Other drugs only serve as palliative care and do not go to the root of the problem. As successful as it may be, the saline treatment can cost between 8000 and 10000 yuans (US$ 1000-1250) or one year income for the average miner.
Miners and small mining companies cannot afford such costs; larger companies can. Their insurance plans do indeed cover such health care contingencies.
Pneumoconiosis victims thus fall into two different categories: those who are lucky (and better off) with the wherewithal for the necessary medical treatment to survive, and those who are poor and condemned to certain death. (DS)