Donka, X-ray of an African hospital
Type
Label
Donka, X-ray of an African hospital
Language
eng
Abstract
Donka Hospital in Conakry, Guinea - the largest public hospital in the country - is similar to many African hospitals. Built in 1959 just before independence, it was designed based on a European model, with little consideration for the realities of Africa. The most important hospital in the country, its plight typifies the crisis affecting the entire African health sector.Over the years the hospital has accumulated substantial debt that neither the Guinean state nor international agencies will pay. Compelled to develop its financial autonomy, the hospital enforces a pay-as-you-go policy. This financial strategy is rigorously applied, but at a high human cost. In this hospital of last resort, families strive to save a child or parent, but without money, there are no drugs and little chance for survival. Revenues rise, but access to treatment diminishes.As we follow the floor-to-floor progress of patients, their families, doctors and nurses, portraits alternate to form a living chronicle where tragedy meets hope."In the course of revealing the state of basic services in West Africa ... where health care is available only for those who can afford it ... Donka also illuminates the dedication of the few who struggle against the darkness."- San Francisco International Film Festival59 minutes / color / 1996Golden Spire Award Winner 1997 San Francisco Film Festival Best of the Festival Best International Documentary1997 Hot Docs
Characteristic
videorecording
Main title
Donka
Medium
electronic resource
Oclc number
780142242
Runtime
59
Series statement
Health and society in video
Sub title
X-ray of an African hospital
Technique
live action
Genre
Subject
Mapped to
Incoming Resources
- Has instance1