According to the four basic ethical principles of scarce resource allocation, wh

Question

According to the four basic ethical principles of scarce resource allocation, which patient would you prioritize for treatment?

A. 70-year-old man with liver cancer, relapsing into alcohol abuse for the fifth time in the past two years: for liver transplant

B. 25-year-old IV drug abuser with HIV living below the poverty line who has not enrolled in de-addiction programs for the past three years despite physician advice: for ART

C. 90-year-old ex-President of a developed country with severe heart failure: for heart transplant

D. 20-year-old pregnant teacher with HIV living below the poverty line: for ART

Explanation / Answer

The answer must be option D 20-year-old pregnant teacher with HIV living below the poverty line: for ART The pregnant teacher should be treated first than other 3. Option A and option B, are omitted because inspite of regular advice and care stil they behave in a way which is harmful to them . So both A and B are rejected. Option C can be considered because he is a president , so in the context of reward (as he served to society ) we can consider. But considering his age and his need ie heart transplantation ( which he may or may not be successful due to his age) we can reject him based on the ultimate outcome of the treatment. Hence it is better to treat the pregnant lady and save baby because even though she cannot live till 100 because of HIV. she can live atleast for some years and it is important in healthcare to consider patients who are young and didn't live their lives . Hence option D.

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