The Ethical Obligation to Serve the Vulnerable

• 08 Oct 2024

The plight of the diseased, disabled, and vulnerable sections of society raises profound ethical questions about our responsibilities as a society. Incidents like the heartbreaking case of a couple in Maharashtra, who had to carry their deceased sons back home on shoulders, due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure (ambulance), serve as a stark reminder of systemic failures that go beyond individual tragedy. Similarly, without a road to the village, a pregnant woman, transported on a "cloth stretcher," passed away while being taken to an ambulance after giving birth. This not only reflects a failure in governance but also a broader societal neglect of basic human rights. Such instances evoke a collective moral outrage, compelling us to question how a society that prides itself on progress can allow such dehumanizing experiences to occur.

Similarly, the story of a paralyzed journalist forced to crawl to the toilet in an airplane (due to unavailability of wheelchairs) underscores the persistent barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. This humiliating experience is emblematic of a society that often overlooks the needs of its most vulnerable members, raising critical ethical dilemmas about accessibility and inclusion. The failure to provide essential services, such as appropriate transportation and public facilities, exemplifies a systemic disregard for the dignity of individuals with disabilities.

These situations challenge us to examine our assumptions about worthiness and the ethical implications of exclusion. They compel us to confront not only the moral responsibility of governments to create inclusive policies but also our own roles as members of society in advocating for change. As we navigate through the ethical landscape of this debate, it becomes essential to scrutinize the frameworks that govern our attitudes and actions towards these vulnerable populations.

What are the Ethical Dimensions of Availability of Essential Services for Vulnerable?

• Moral Obligation on Government: Governments have a moral as well as legal obligation to protect and promote the welfare of all citizens. Inadequate availability of essential services, that could save lives of people and provide life and death with dignity, points towards the utter failure of governance.
  • The failure of governance profoundly affects the ethical treatment of vulnerable populations, revealing systemic issues that prioritize bureaucracy over human dignity.
  • Inadequate infrastructure and mismanaged resources lead to tragic outcomes, particularly for marginalized groups lacking access to essential services.
  • Moreover, ineffective policy implementation and exclusion from decision-making processes perpetuate cycles of neglect, leaving the needs of the sick, disabled, and destitute unaddressed.
• Principle of Beneficence: Ethical theories often emphasize the moral obligation to act for the benefit of others. In the case of the diseased and vulnerable, this translates to a societal duty to ensure accessible welfare services.
  • The failure to provide timely services, raises questions about the effectiveness and morality of existing governance systems.
• Justice and Fairness: The principle of justice underscores the importance of equitable treatment for all individuals.
  • However, marginalized populations often receive substandard care. This inequity is an ethical failure that society must address.
• Dignity and Respect: Individuals with disabilities deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • The inability of dead and disabled people to access basic facilities reflects a deeper societal problem – the failure to recognize and uphold the inherent worth of all individuals.
• Empathy and Compassion: Ethics also call for empathy towards the suffering of others. When individuals are marginalized or excluded due to their circumstances, society must cultivate compassion and a commitment to social justice.

What is the Philosophical Perspective on Providing Essential Services to the Vulnerable?

Different philosophical frameworks offer varied insights into the treatment of marginalized individuals:

• The veil of ignorance, a concept by philosopher John Rawls, points that societal rules should be designed without knowing one’s position in the society.
  • If decision-makers were unaware of their own social status or identity they would likely advocate for a just system that prioritizes availability of basic facilities for all citizens irrespective of their socio-economic status.
  • This approach fosters a fair system prioritizing the needs of the vulnerable, urging policymakers and citizens to consider the ethical implications of their decisions and cultivate empathy.
• Antyodaya philosophy emphasizes uplifting the poorest as the focal point of development.
  • It advocates targeted interventions to address the needs of marginalized groups, ensuring their access to resources and opportunities, thereby promoting social justice.
• The Gandhian perspective stresses compassion and the inherent dignity of every individual.
  • Gandhi’s belief in serving the “last person” urges society to uplift the downtrodden through non-violence and grassroots engagement, measuring progress by how well we treat our most vulnerable members.

What Should be Way Ahead to Ensure Basic Services to the Vulnerable?

• Infrastructure Development: Governments must prioritize the construction of basic facilities along with timely availability of these facilities, ensuring that marginalized populations can receive timely and adequate medical care.
• Policy Reforms: Policymakers should implement and enforce regulations that guarantee equal access to basic public services for all individuals, particularly those with disabilities.
  • Initiatives like The Accessible India Campaign, also known as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan are a step in the right direction to ensure equitable access of public facilities to disabled.
  • Also, there is a need to ensure accountability of implementing agencies and service providers.
• Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness initiatives can help reduce stigma and promote understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals. Education is a powerful tool for fostering empathy and inclusivity.
• Community Engagement: Encouraging local communities to take an active role in supporting marginalized individuals can foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect.
  • Community programs can provide essential resources and support systems, and help in reducing social stigma against vulnerable sections.
• Interdisciplinary Approaches: Collaboration among various sectors healthcare, education, social services, and advocacy groups can lead to comprehensive solutions that address the multifaceted challenges faced by the diseased, disabled, and other vulnerable sections of society.

Conclusion

The treatment of our society's most vulnerable members serves as the ultimate measure of our moral and ethical development. The current state of affairs, where basic dignity and access to essential services remain out of reach for many, represents a collective failure of our social conscience. Moving forward requires not just policy changes and infrastructure development, but a fundamental transformation in how we view and value human dignity. Only through concerted effort at all levels governmental, societal, and individual can we hope to build a truly inclusive society that honors its commitment to all its members. There is a need for a deeper understanding of what it means to live in a just society, one that values every individual, regardless of their circumstances.