Abstract
Ireland was described as the best place to live in 2005. This conclusion was based on a study by the Economist. Let us discuss this statement by taking into account the Irish health system. In this document, we question the efficiency of the healthcare system of the country and find out if it can really be argued that it is the case as far as health is concerned. We also analyze if it possesses the best health system in the world, as it is known to be.
First of all, the characteristics of a good health system have to been explained in order to monitor the Irish health system. Equity, equality and efficiency should be the main aspects of a good health system. To illustrate it, I would like to quote Aneurin Bevan, the chief architect of the English National Health System, who argued that "no society can legitimately call itself civilized if a sick person is denied medical aid because of a lack of means". Indeed, a good health system is one which provides primary medical care universally. This kind of system cannot be based on money to shape one's access to care.
Keeping the above statement in mind, can it be said that the Irish system is a good system and is it the best in the world? First of all, in the world of drugs and addictions, Ireland has a significant rate of consumption and an unhealthy behavior with a high rate of binge drinking for instance. Hence, the quality of the health of the general public poses a question.
Moreover, another challenge for the health public policy is the one of the prevention of suicides. Suicides, occur as a consequence of the changing sets of rules from a traditional one to a modern one, and constitute a major issue in Ireland. Because of a breaking of the traditional rules, it leads to an antisocial behavior materialized by high suicide rates.
