The ultimate post-code lottery.

Another Thursday, another on call (but I don't complain too much as it gives me a long weekend). Nothing too drastic so far but I have just been to confirm a death on the Isolation ward. A 33 year old woman I admitted on Monday night. I noted that she looked very sick, likely TB, and admitted her for iv antibiotics and TB work-up. I see tonight from the notes that she deteriorated over the next few days, becoming confused. I was then called this evening to confirm her death.
The thing that gets me is that she was HIV negative. In a different setting, her level of care would have been escalated to a much greater level, and her chances of survival would have been good.
We see a lot of young people die here; barely a week goes by when I don't write a death certificate for someone my age or younger. But generally these are HIV related. Tonight's death reminded me of just how much disparity there is in healthcare in the world.