the economic argument against health inequalities

Why is it only when we quantify in dollar terms the potential economic payoff of health improvements in lower and middle income countries, then we have policy makers and governments responding?

Human rights and capitalism/neo-liberalism are at odds, i don't understand why this is such a hard concept to grasp.

Not all will have the right to life, basic health services, culturally appropriate and nutritious food, and education, when money and comfort is all we in the developed world care about. A token donation and off you go is not enough. We need to realise that privatization of markets, particularly health care, is unethical and inhumane.

It's been almost 40 years since the release of the groundbreaking Alma Ata Declaration, where countries around the world agreed to work towards a more equal global society and equal health outcomes. We are nowhere near our goal back then. Since then, we have come up with more declarations, more goals (e.g. the Millenium Development Goals), and more understanding about what causes ill health. Enough talk, I reckon 40 years is more than enough for bureaucrats to sit in their ivory towers. We need to act, and in acting, we need to pledge the willingness to forsake the capitalist visions of profit making and consumerism.

How long more...