英语听力精选进阶版 14059

Iran's approaching medical crisis

Summary

16 November 2012

Iran says its medical supplies are due to run out in two months’ time. The Iranian authorities say drug prices have gone up by 350% since this time last year. Western imposed sanctions on Iran have affected¹ the lives of those who live there.

Reporter:

Karen Zarindast

Report

Manuchehr was only 15. He was a haemophiliac who lived with his family among nomadic² tribes outside the city of Dezful in the south. Earlier this week he was out with his friends for a walk when he hurt himself falling. His friends rushed him back home for urgent medication, but there were no drugs left. His parents couldn't afford to pay for his prescriptions³. He died on the way to the hospital.

As a result of his death, the authorities have for the first time said on the record that Iran is on the verge⁴ of a medical disaster. Ninety crucial drugs are in short supply, among them medication for cancer, diabetes⁵ and haemophilia. 

The Iranian currency, the rial, has reportedly lost 80% of its value since the end of last year. It is thought that Iran lost $32bn in oil revenues in 2011. Dollar reserves are running out and even though some sanctions were eased in October to allow in some drugs, the currency crisis has made it near impossible for Iran to buy them.

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 nomadic   

adj.流浪的；游牧的

参考例句：

• This tribe still live a nomadic life.这个民族仍然过着游牧生活。
• The plowing culture and the nomadic culture are two traditional principal cultures in China.农耕文化与游牧文化是我国传统的两大主体文化。

3 prescriptions   

药( prescription的名词复数 )； 处方； 开处方； 计划

参考例句：

• The hospital of traditional Chinese medicine installed a computer to fill prescriptions. 中医医院装上了电子计算机来抓药。
• Her main job was filling the doctor's prescriptions. 她的主要工作就是给大夫开的药方配药。

4 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

5 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。