JAPAN VERSUS U.S. IN A HISTORICAL DEBATE ABOUT LOW-INCOME CRISE

Which country is better? A bipolar discussion about insulin and low-income citizens. 

By: Lucas Gabriel - Xinhua News

The Human Rights Council is debating the impact of the crisis on low-income citizens. Japan disagrees with the U.S. position. The debate is about the resolutions of the delegates. 

During the second day of discussion at the 2024 SPsMUN Human Rights Council, the countries are stunned and anxious. Tension mounts as participating countries grapple with pressing issues. Delegates are visibly unsettled and eager to address the complex array of human rights challenges facing the global community. Delegations are already positioned, and the headers of the debate are the U.S. and Japan. 

The representatives from delegations listen to the resolutions. Photo by Lucas Gabriel.

The discussion about the necessary use of insulin for some of the population (principally elderly people) involves the economy, politics and public health. 

Diabetes is a health issue that affects over 150 million people ( approximately 5.4% of the world population). It’s a clearly necessary problem for the delegation to solve. 

The global crisis affects every single person, such as the low-income population, who don't have money to buy insulin for themselves. Insulin is a basic necessity for diabetics, and the nations are discussing if it is possible for careless people. 

During an interview with Xinhua News, the spokesperson from Japan, one of the heads of the debate, said that the U.S are controversial and, on the other hand from the diplomatic discussion: “The position of Japan it’s against the United States, that’s the truth, and my delegation is with France, China and Canada, but it can be different”. 

Asking if the delegation got in, one, according to the representative delegation, said: “no, mine and other nations just made a first resolution, but nothing too much”. That means the beginning of the discussions may start later. 
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Resuming, delegations are debating diplomatic approaches to address the global insulin crisis, which is a critical issue affecting millions of people who rely on this medication to manage diabetes. Shortages and price hikes have exacerbated the situation, prompting governments and international organizations to seek collaborative solutions to ensure continued access to insulin for all who need it. 



​Bibliography: 

• Fralick M, Kesselheim AS. The U.S. Insulin Crisis - Rationing a Lifesaving Medication Discovered in the 1920s. N Engl J Med. 2019 Nov 7;381(19):1793-1795. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp1909402. PMID: 31693804.Accessed 24 Feb. 2024 
• Scott K Ober, Sharon Watts & Renée HLawrence (2006) Insulin use in elderly diabetic patients, Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1:2, 107-113, DOI: 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.2.107 Accessed 24 Feb. 2024