Priorities?

National Government priorities:

Amount spent by government on the Rugby World Cup: $39 million

Total amount of public spending: $200+ million

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Amount spent on  ‘plastic waka’: $2 million

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Extra amount spent on “party fanzones” to cater for extra crowds: $5.5 million

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Amount spent by government on 34 new ministerial BMWs: $???   (“Commercially sensitive” – but retail cost, $200,000 each.)

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Amount spent by MPs on accomodation and travel  in just six months: $7.69 million

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Amount required to keep five people alive, who suffer from the rare Pompe disease:  overpriced  (according to the government),

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It seems that this government can spend millions on rugby, party zones, luxury limousines, ministerial travel and other perks – but spending money to save the lives of our fellow New Zealanders is “unaffordable?

Well, at least this illustrates the priorities of this government like nothing else does. It is obvious what is more important to John Key and his colleagues in the National Party.

What makes this tragedy even more ghastly is that in 2008, John Key campaigned on behalf of  women suffering from breast cancer for Pharmac to fully  fund herceptin. Pharmac at that time had decided to fund only a nine week course – whilst campaigners were demanding a full 12 month period of funding.

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Perhaps the difference between Mr Hill’s case, suffering from Pompe’s disease, is that 2008 was an election year and National was campaigning hard against an incumbent Labour government, led by an experienced, politically savy,  and fairly popular  prime minister.

National of course, won the 2008 election and Key “made good” on his election promise to force Pharmac to extend funding for herceptin,

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This year, is also an election year – but National is high in the public opinion polls and John Key is considerably ahead of his nearest rival, Phil Goff.  John Key therefore has no need to “play to the public“. He can afford to be “somewhere else” when a dying man knocks on his office door.

This is a shameful state of affairs. This government can find money to spend on luxury items; spend-up large on a rugby tournament and party zones; etc – but $5 million is somehow “unaffordable”?!?! Only the most soulless government could behave in this manner.

How craven for a Prime Minister not to have the courage to meet a dying man. And how gutless to have security guards do the Dear Leader’s dirty work in turning away Mr Hill.

Perhaps it’s not the sort of photo-op that Mr Key favours?

Mr Prime Minister – I challenge  you to  extend full treatment to Laurie Hill and other sufferers of  Pompe disease. I challenge you to do for sufferers of  Pompe disease what you promised for breast cancer sufferers in 2008.

Hell, I’ll even close down this Blog if you do. It’ll be one less critical voice niggling at you and your government.

Are you up for the challenge, Mr Prime Minister?

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+++ Updates +++

An email sent to the Prime Minister and  Minister of Health,

from:    [email]
to:    Tony Ryall <tony.ryall@parliament.govt.nz>,
Prime Minister John Key <john.key@parliament.govt.nz>
bcc:    [email]
date:    Sat, Oct 22, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Sirs,

You may be aware that there are five people in New Zealand who desperately require assistance to treat their condition, Pompe’s disease. These people are dying from their illness and require a treatment of myozyme to survive.

Three years ago, you campaigned to have herceptin extended from a 9 week treatment, to a full 12 months – effectively over-ruling Pharmac. This was done at the desperate request of women suffering from breast cancer.

I ask that you do the same for sufferers of Pompe’s disease. I’m sure you know who these people are.

You are your colleagues were only too happy to spend $36 million on the Rugby World Cup. Plus another $5.5 million on extensing the “Partyzones” in Auckland. Well, we now need that same generosity of spirit to help save five lives.

You may do it from a senseless of generosity and knowing it is the right thing to do.

Or, you may do it because it is hardly the sort of election issue that you want clouding your campaign.

The important thing is that  the right decision is made – there are five people counting on you.

Regards,
-Frank Macskasy

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Useful Email addresses

Prime Minister, John Key

john.key@parliament.govt.nz

Health Minister, Tony Ryall

tony.ryall@parliament.govt.nz

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Additional reading

Editorial: Behind a penguin on priority list

New Zealand Pompe Network

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Acknowledgement

Thanks to Sharlene for bringing this issue to my attention.

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