Helping Hands

There is no doubt that lack of funding is one of the main reasons that the third world is struggling. Lack of funding to transport technology, food, finished goods, raw materials, medicine and vaccines — anything that could potentially help to draw people out of poverty in the third world — is a big reason why many don’t even begin to try. Actualities of aid aside, the cost of transporting, cultivating, and sustaining such aid can result in one of two things: either aid is sent and poorly managed and therefore isn’t sustained properly enough to be beneficial down the road, or aid isn’t sent at all, and foreigners quietly brainstorm ways to “potentially” help the third world without making any actual strides.

The drastically high poverty rates of the third world, combined with the resources and technological advances of the first world create a greatly segregated international community. For the purpose of this piece, I am going to attach a stereotype to the majority of members of the first world (namely those of the United States of America). The upper-class of Americans are power-hungry and driven by the need to achieve success. Pushing the limits in high school and at the University level are the norm when it comes to getting ahead. “Getting ahead” can come in a variety of forms. Acceptance to the best medical in the country, for example, can be a direct path to a life as a successful doctor. Help from family members in paying off loans can alleviate the stress of a student in medical school and allow them to focus on perfecting their trade. These years of dedication and motivation and focus, in turn lead to a degree in the medical field, completion of successful residencies’, and the ability to practice medicine professionally. All of this hard work and strategic planning went into the creation of this doctor to live a happy, comfortable, “successful” life. Many doctors may want to be charitable and give back to those in need, but may not want to leave the comforts of their lush, first-world homes and lives. First world tendencies and desires in mind, I have an idea that will allow the upper-class to practice their trades successfully within their own borders, and also allow for the impoverished to gain potentially life-saving opportunity.

Combing the technology seen in 3D printers, as well as the capabilities of computer-generated images (CGI), it is now possible to surgically operate on those in other countries — the third world. In the same way that 3D printers can create something completely new out of small particles in a machine, and images can be brought to life through CGI technology (along with the help of motion sensor activity and WiFi networks) surgeries can happen with just the tools needed by the doctor and a set of 3D hands controlled by the doctor thousands of miles away wearing compatible, sensor activated gloves.

For example, a child in Africa has suffered from a Gall Bladder infection and needs to have the organ removed. The small amount of trained doctors in the area and the little resources the area has can often lead to those in need not having the ability to have surgeries that could potentially save their lives’. So, these “Magic Hands” made out of pliable, movable material — created by a 3D printer like device would be controlled by a surgeon over-seas simply by putting on a pair of special gloves. Through a webcam of sorts, the surgeon could see the work he was doing, and the Magic Hands would comply and move in the exact way that the gloved doctor’s hands were moving. The doctor could complete the operation and immediately return to his more luxurious lifestyle. He could easily continue to work his way up the social ladder and remain in the United States, while also helping those in dire need halfway across the globe.

There are many things to take into consideration when looking at this new technology and how it can practically be sustained. First of all, WiFi and electricity are necessities when it comes to powering this type of technology. Establishments will still need to be present to house the gloves, the machinery, and the web-cam. This isn’t an idea to completely overhaul the medical field in third world countries. It’s a step in a direction towards finding a way to make medical care more accessible to those in need. Power lines and a few pieces of equipment in a handful of towns and villages is asking a lot, but it pales in comparison to the amount of resources and energy needed to recruit, train, and house sub-par surgeons in the local area. Highly educated doctors can instantly be in third-world countries, operating on the poor. Tools and materials can be donated by charities, but educated doctors cannot. This creation will allow for third-world countries to be slightly relieved of the stresses that come with certain aspects of medical care.

I understand that this isn’t necessarily the most honorable of ways to promote social justice or even good deeds, however, exploiting the American mindset of ruthless success and monetary gains, I have combined human nature and charitable acts to produce a way in that the third world gets the help it needs by being freed from the restraints of poverty, and Americans and Europeans get to practice their trade and continue their worldly lives. “Win Win” is the motto here.