PHA-Exchange> Port Alegre, BRAZIL (20th Jan 2003) : Press Release: "HEALTH MOVEMENTS PLEDGE THEIR SOLIDARITY TO SOCIAL MOVEMENTS".

[UNNIKRISHNAN PV (Dr)]

Dear friends 

Greetings from Porto Alegre, Brazil !

Please circulate the press release (below / attachment) to all your media contacts, world wide.

During the Health forum (20-22 Jan, 2003 ) & World Social Forum (23 -28 Jan, 2003) , for media enquiries and to reach PHM and IPHC delegates, please call: +55 51 811 64082

Regards and in solidarity

Unni
+++++++++++++++++++  Subject: Port Alegre, BRAZIL (20th Jan 2003) : Press Release: "HEALTH MOVEMENTS PLEDGE THEIR SOLIDARITY TO SOCIAL MOVEMENTS". +++++++

& 

 International People's Health Council 

ALAMES - Asociacion Latinoamericana de Medicina Social
 

PRESS RELEASE           URGENT       

"HEALTH   FOR  ALL  IS  NECESSARY  AND  IS  POSSIBLE"-

 HEALTH   MOVEMENTS  PLEDGE  THEIR SOLIDARITY TO SOCIAL MOVEMENTS.  

Porto Alegre (Brazil) ; 20th January 2003:  Health movements from all over the world pledged their unflinching solidarity to the social movements, being galvanised through the World Social Forum (WSF). 

On the inaugural day of the 2nd International Forum for the Advocacy of People's Health as an Essential Human Need (popularly known as the Health Forum), participants -varying from health workers, trade unionists, representatives from the Landless People's Movement, peace activists and journalists- reiterated their demand for Health for all NOW ! 

The 2nd Health Forum came down heavily on the neo-liberal policies promoted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) that has destroyed the public health system in many developing countries. A cross-section of the speakers, representing people-based health movements and other civil society initiatives gave a blow-by-blow account of the negative impacts of Globalisation, Liberalisation and Privatisation.

Health forum is an initiative to bring together organisations and movements engaged in creating a democratic, socially just, and sustainable world. 

Presentations from Argentina, Brazil, India, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela and other countries had the same story to say- IMF and the World Bank policies are bad for health. " Reject the unfair rule of the World Bank and IMF. Stay away from them," echoed the speakers and participants.

The increase in the cost of health care even in developed countries like the USA came under scrutiny. "The spiralling cost of health care has put many people out of safety nets and this has lead to worrying trends. This is bad for health", the forum said.

This forum is organized by a large number of social movements and Non Governmental organizations like the Asociacion Latinoamericana de medicina social (ALAMES- the Latin American Association of Social Medicine), People's Health Movement, International People's Health Council and the International Association of Health Policy. 

This three-days forum that began in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre today will deliberate about the negative impacts of the neo-liberal policies on health, trade and finance. The Health forum is expected to synergise and strengthen the ongoing struggle against globalisation and unjust policies advocated by the World Bank and IMF. Further, it is expected to provide a platform for exchange of ideas to develop alternatives and people-centric solutions.

The Health forum is being timed just before the 3rd WSF, expected to begin here on 23rd January 2003.  WSF has become an annual event that has challenged the Brettonwoods institutions -- World Bank and the IMF. 

This social gathering attains importance when serious questions are being raised about the sense of direction of the World Health Organization. A section of the civil society members argue that WHO, the top UN organization dealing with health has miserably failed to address the health needs of the poor. "The World Bank, IMF and other financial institutions are directing the WHO. This has already resulted in a crisis in health situation in most parts of the world. Efforts are required to reverse this trend" says a recent PHM communiqué.

Amit Sengupta, People's health Movement 

Maria Hamlin Zuniga, International People's Health Council

Armando De Negri Filho, Asociacion Latinoamericana de medicina social

+++++++++++++++++    For media enquiries +++++++++++++++++++++++

Porto Alegre, Brazil (19th till 28th Jan2003): 

Ph (M): +55  51811 64082   Dr. Unnikrishnan PV ,   (E-mail: unnikru at yahoo.com) 

London: Andrew Chetley, London : +44 20 7539 1591         chetley.a at healthlink.org.uk

Thailand: Satya Sivaraman (E-mail: satyasagar at yahoo.com )  
 
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