When Diversity Beats Doctors: Three UK Healthcare Realities to Make Stalin Envious

I just read a news story about the United Kingdom which, in all its absurdity, seemed downright unbelievable. According to it, a radiographer is “obliged to inquire about possible pregnancy even, for example, from middle-aged men.”

In other words, this is about the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion—DEI—on the way hospitals operate. But the detail I just mentioned wasn’t even the most ridiculous part of the article. At least not in my opinion; it only took third place.

Second place in this intellectual somersault went to the claim that the health system in England spends over 45 million euros annually on salaries for staff working in diversity roles. And as a result, there apparently isn’t enough money for things like new office chairs. 

And the gold medal? That went to the revelation that DEI trainers in Britain’s healthcare system can indeed be paid several times more than doctors. Yes—you read that correctly, dear reader: a doctor is no longer the most important figure in healthcare, at least if measured by salary. That role now belongs to a political commissar spreading left-liberal propaganda and keeping watch over others.

My apologies to all the British readers, but at this very moment I can’t think of much positive to say about you. Unless, of course, one counts the fact that even the late dictator of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, would be envious of your achievements.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Unintended Consequences of Modern Value Shifts
Feminists, Woke, and DEI People Justify Violence Against Women
The Free World Needs America’s Leadership Now

Finnish Immigration Policy Aims to Maximize Benefits and Minimize Drawbacks

The Finnish Immigration Service is planning a new detention center near the country’s largest prison, located between the German Military Cemetery and the Guide Dog School. The center will accommodate foreign individuals if it can be assumed that they are hiding or attempting to evade decisions affecting them or the enforcement of their deportation.

This is one indication that Finland’s immigration policy is being shifted from allowing all kinds of entry to one that serves the needs of the country. In practice, this means stricter adherence to the conditions for humanitarian protection and improving the prerequisites for labor-based immigration. This approach aims to maximize the benefits of immigration while minimizing its adverse effects.

The need to change immigration policy has become apparent in Finland following Sweden’s humanitarian immigration policy, which has been a complete failure. Reports of large-scale grooming gangs targeting British girls from the UK have further underscored the issue.

As a result of the changes currently underway, Finland hopes to attract more educated and work-motivated immigrants from traditional Western countries, India, Vietnam, Brazil, and the Philippines. From the latter, Finland has already received a significant number of diligent workers to address labor shortages in the country’s public healthcare system.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Immigration Policy Should Be Based on Evidence
Nordic Police Announce: Spread of Gang Violence Cannot Be Stopped
Immigration Policy Must Take Artificial Intelligence and Robots into Account

Immigrants, Gangs, Decisions, and Self-Interest

The Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported unexpectedly yesterday that Pietarsaari is grappling with gang, drug, and violence issues connected to individuals of immigrant backgrounds, as well as ties to the capital city and Sweden. According to the report, 15 percent of the town’s population are immigrants.

This is not entirely new, as already nine and a half years ago, the local police stated that, "The reception center came about six years ago. These days, we almost don’t have a single case where someone with a foreign background isn’t involved."

At that time — in 2015 — the issue came to light because a 17-year-old youth of foreign background had stabbed two other young people. He was caught.

In Yle's recent article, 14-year-old Erdi from Pietarsaari said, "There are a lot of young people here who want to be in a gang… They act a bit like gangsters. They think they’re tough, but they’re not."

A local youth specialist, meanwhile, described young men who came to Pietarsaari through Sweden, following people, issuing threats, and "causing a stir. The youth talk about how they’re not from here. Now they’ve disappeared from the streets."

* * *

Yle’s news report confirmed that the immigration policies practiced in Finland and Sweden have been disastrous for the native population, and their negative consequences are not limited to large cities. For this reason, it would also be prudent for voters in Pietarsaari to remember that the current government, led by the National Coalition Party and the Finns Party, is the first to attempt to address these issues.

In fact, steps have already been taken, with the following immigration-related changes implemented: the introduction of border procedures, amendments to laws to prevent circumvention of entry regulations, a reduction of reception allowances to the minimum allowed by the Constitution and the Reception Directive, and stricter requirements for obtaining citizenship.

Starting next year, international protection will also be redefined as temporary. Additionally, administrative reforms have been initiated to strengthen these efforts.

And that’s not all—the government program includes further planned improvements to immigration policy. If these are implemented, it is likely that the flow of immigrants from developing countries to Finland will slow, and those who do arrive will have a stronger motivation to integrate into our society. That would be in everyone’s best interest.

* * *

It should be noted, however, that if Finns vote in the next parliamentary elections in 2027 to bring the Social Democrats back into government and relegate the Finns Party to the opposition, it is likely that the country will revert to the old immigration policies, which have been causing increasingly severe problems. This appears to be the trajectory based on current party support polls.

There is also a risk that the government could collapse due to internal conflicts and members of parliament prioritizing their own interests. This risk is evident among some MPs from both the Finns Party and the National Coalition Party, who plan to vote against the government’s proposed healthcare cost-saving measures, seemingly without understanding their broader implications.

One can only hope this doesn’t happen and that these MPs might even abstain from voting. However, given their prior high-profile public opposition, it seems likely they are determined to undermine the government’s efforts. In doing so, they may end up aiding the left-green opposition, which seeks the government’s downfall, potentially even by spreading falsehoods.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finnish, Japanese, and Dutch Adults Lead in Literacy, Numeracy, and Problem-Solving Skills
A Murder in a Well-Known Finnish Immigrant Neighborhood
Immigration Policy Should Be Based on Evidence

Message to Palestinians Who Want to Burden Finland's Healthcare System

A little over a year ago, the Palestinian Hamas organization decided to carry out a spectacular strike on Israel. However, after the initial celebrations, joy turned to sorrow when the target of the attack decided to utterly destroy the organization itself.

Now, the Palestinian government has asked Finland to take care of those wounded in the war of Gaza, as well as others in need of assistance. According to the organization's Minister of Health, "the children should come first. Especially children with cancer and those who have lost limbs. Additionally, there would be those to whom we wouldn't be able to provide surgical care, even if our hospitals were operational."

However, they failed to mention what would come after the medical services were up and running with the help of the children. Would terrorists, innocent women, or war criminals be next?

The Palestinian representative also forgot to mention that there have been many civilian casualties - at least partly because the terrorists of Hamas have operated from hospitals and hidden among civilians, such as in schools.

Despite all of this, support for the Hamas terrorists among the Palestinian population has not decreased—as one might expect from reasonable people—but has instead increased, even among the population of the West Bank of the Jordan River, which is typically more peaceful than Gaza. As a result, there are now even more supporters of violence among them than those who favor peaceful activities.

Based on what I’ve written above, I do not support transferring Palestinians—not even their otherwise innocent children—into the already resource-strained Finnish healthcare system. Instead, I urge the Palestinians to lay down their arms, hand over the Hamas terrorists to be judged by the courts, and direct their efforts toward peacebuilding and the creation of well-being in the areas they govern. In doing so, they can also eventually help the victims of the catastrophe started by Hamas.

Finally, I repeat the message I’ve already sent to all Palestinians, one whose significance they should consider very carefully. It’s a saying that goes, "a foolish head makes the whole body suffer." This, in a nutshell, explains why the Palestinians—and their children—are currently in such a poor situation.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
What will Happen Tomorrow, on the Anniversary of the Attack by the Terrorists on October 7th Last Year?
Palestinian Youth Require More Understanding, Less Aggression
A Fair Peace Proposal for Gaza

The Green Movement of Finland is Lost

As my esteemed reader knows, Finland currently has a right-wing government that came to power a little over a year ago. Its task is to address the economic distress created by the previous center-left government, which scattered taxpayers' money with abandon. While the results are still modest, decisions have been made, and over time they promise to balance the public budget and kickstart economic growth, which has stagnated for a decade and a half.

In this regard, the situation is interesting because the Finnish green-left has been unable to do anything but criticize the government's decisions, without offering any alternatives. The most intriguing case is that of the Green Party, which has over the years drifted to the far left.

Its chairwoman, Sofia Virta, has repeatedly stated that her practically sole goal is to bring down the government. In the same breath, she has addressed issues related to humanitarian immigration, such as street violence, claiming that "the Finns Party doesn’t want to solve these problems. Their support is based on them."

This is strange, because it is precisely the Finns Party that has wanted to limit humanitarian immigration to a level where newcomers can be integrated into Finnish society. They have also criticized the provision of unconditional – and thus demotivating – social benefits to spontaneous immigrants.

Additionally, Virta has claimed that "the prime minister probably doesn’t lose a second of sleep worrying about how to get health centers and public services to function." This is, of course, a blatant lie, as it was the previous government—of which the Greens were a part—that carried out a healthcare reform that led to the collapse of the system. The current government has been particularly focused on correcting the mistakes made earlier.

Each individual can draw their own conclusions about the reasons behind the Green Party chairwoman's rhetoric. Personally, I suspect it is a panicked, primal reaction to the fact that the Greens’ support, which at its peak had one in six Finns behind it, has now dropped to half of that.

Sofia Virta will have no political future if this trend doesn’t reverse during her tenure. And, of course, it’s impossible to imagine that happening with the methods she’s currently employing. This is because, in Finland, smearing political opponents has never been valued; instead, constructive proposals and presenting alternatives are appreciated.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Will Orpo's Government Restore Finland to Sustainable Economic Growth?
Healthcare Services for Undocumented Immigrants are a Pull Factor for Harmful Immigration
Putin's useful idiots in Finland

Healthcare Services for Undocumented Immigrants are a Pull Factor for Harmful Immigration

The Finnish government's intentions to restrict healthcare services for people living in the country illegally have received harsh criticism. The issue is that the change proposed by the current government would effectively overturn a decision made during the last parliamentary term, which granted undocumented individuals the right to essential non-urgent healthcare services.

In a statement from the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), which is responsible for providing specialized medical care in the region, it was suggested that "the underlying reasons for the proposed legislative amendment are more political than due to observed real problems." It was also stated that "tightening the regulations to approximately previous levels would thus likely increase the resources used for treating patients living illegally in the country."

The South Karelia social and health care district also opposed the legislative amendment, suggesting that "the benefits of the proposed legislation for the state budget and healthcare capacity would be marginal, but the risk of increased human suffering is significant." The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare claimed that "the proposed regulatory solution could lead to an increase in overall healthcare costs instead of achieving savings."

Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen (National Coalition Party) also commented on the issue, stating that "there is no reason to exclude part of the undocumented population from essential healthcare on the grounds that it would particularly burden the healthcare system." Therefore, the City of Helsinki does not support the legislative amendment.

In my view, each of these statements is foolish, as providing healthcare services to those living illegally in the country is part of the overall system that attracts social welfare-based economic migrants, which causes enormous costs and, on top of that, fosters a breeding ground for sexual and gang-related crime.

For this reason, healthcare services for people living illegally in the country are extremely detrimental to Finnish society and the safety of those legally residing here. Hence, the government's effort to further restrict healthcare for illegal residents is highly commendable, although it is too lenient and insufficient on its own.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Immigration issue
Mass immigration is the greatest concern for EU youth
The human rights of immigrant women are not important in Finland

Could Kenyans serve as a model for Somalis and Iraqis?

Finnish immigration policy is somewhat unsuccessful in the sense that people from major refugee-producing countries - excluding Ukrainians - have adapted poorly to the job market. Consequently, a significant portion of them relies on social welfare, and many also turn to criminal activities. These facts have led to a negative perception of immigration from elsewhere than Western or East Asian countries by a substantial portion of Finns.

Therefore, I read with great interest an article about a company operating in Kenya that acquires and trains healthcare personnel for Finland. In practice, these individuals have existing education in the healthcare field, and they also receive additional training, including independent study of the Finnish language. The latter is intended to gauge their motivation.

Foreign nurses are welcome in Finland because the country is facing a severe shortage of healthcare professionals. Kenyans have already proven to be good workers, with an employment rate even higher than that of EU citizens.

The facts I've presented above have left me thoughtful, as it seems strange that if Kenyans are thriving in Finland, why can't Somalis or Iraqis achieve the same and settle for living off society's support without making an effort for their own success? If we exclude politically incorrect factors such as genetics and culture when seeking an answer, what remains?

When searching for an answer, it's important not to overlook the possibility that Finns may be doing something fundamentally wrong when trying to ease the lives of people from major refugee-producing countries coming to Finland without expecting them to contribute. Could the solution lie in requiring them to take responsibility for their own lives in the same way Kenyans do when they come to Finland?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Why doesn't immigration cause protests in Japan?
100 percent of the violence is related to migration
A Finnish police officer is afraid to speak about the problems of immigration

Finnish women have enjoyed a privileged position since medieval times

Finland was one of the first countries to grant women the right to vote and stand for election, so we have an exceptionally long and still ongoing tradition of political gender equality. And, of course, this is closely tied to the generally good societal position of women.

However, it is unclear how long gender attitudes persist in places undergoing significant societal changes. This question was studied by Swedish researchers Taylor Damann, Jeremy Siow, and Margit Tavits by analyzing the teeth of about ten thousand medieval individuals from 139 archaeological sites.

The researchers used differences in the dental health of women and men as a measure of disparities in nutrition and healthcare. Additionally, they compared these archaeological measurements to data on gender norms from surveys conducted in the same geographical areas.

The result was quite clear, as historical indicators of gendered health disparities were significantly linked to modern gender equality norms in the same locations. However, this connection weakened in places where significant population turnovers had occurred over history, meaning that new populations brought their own attitudes with them.

In other words, the gender attitudes of population groups can persist across generations, even for extended periods, spanning hundreds or thousands of years, despite major societal, economic, and political changes. This seems to be the case in Finland as well, as the study included one Finnish site, Luistari in Eura.

Based on the analysis of dental remains, women from Luistari's medieval population had even been "more equal" than men, meaning they received better nutrition and healthcare. Among all 139 sites, Luistari women ranked as the 16th best-treated.

Thus, Finnish women have enjoyed a privileged position since medieval times. This strongly equal position of women in society applies more or less to the entire Northern European population, including Scandinavians and Balts.

The original thought in Finnish:
Suomalaisnaiset olivat jo keskiajalla tasa-arvoisempia kuin miehet

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
"Woke" pushes American science academies to favor women in their membership selections
History of Finland XI: Finnish democracy and gender equality for women
Discrimination against women?