PHM-Exch> PHM at WHA 2009: Statements on key health issues (May 19, 2009)

[PHM Global Secretariat]

 <http://www.phmovement.org/cms/>

*WHA 2009:** People’s Health Movement (PHM) statements on key health issues:
*



*On recession and impact on health:*



   1. *“Declare Global economic downturn a health disaster!”. *
   2. *Economic Recession is a threat to the world’s health*
   3. The PHM demands immediate measures by the international community and
   individual governments:

·         To ensure adequate resources to revitalise public health systems.
Pay urgent attention to the needs of the poor rather than the revival of
failed big commercial banks.

·         To allocate funds for the restoration of jobs and livelihood
opportunities in low income communities.

·         To strengthen social welfare programs in developing countries and
for homeless and unemployed people in developed countries, and not to use
the economic crisis downturn as an excuse to cut funds of welfare related
programmes.

*On ‘swine flu’ and pandemics:*



The PHM demands a more long term and holistic approach to the problem of
emerging infections and possible pandemics. Among the urgent measures that
need to be taken are:

   1. Strengthen public health systems to tackle effectively the current
   crisis posed by the threat of an influenza ‘pandemic’ and future pandemics
   and other emerging diseases.
   2. Regulate the global corporate controlled livestock industry to promote
   safe practices and safeguard health over corporate profits.
   3. Ensure enhanced co-ordinated global responses to the threat posed by
   epidemics, including collaborative efforts to develop and make available
   medicines and vaccines, access to which are not constrained by IP owned by
   MNCs.



*On WHO resolutions on Primary Health Care and Social Determinants of
Health:*



1) The PHM calls upon the World Health Assembly to adopt the final
recommendations of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health
immediately.



2) The PHM calls upon the Director General of WHO to

   - promote the role of the WHO as the principal coordinating body for
   global health actions, while cooperating with other international
   organizations, especially those within the UN system
   - Stop promoting vertical disease-specific programs as experience
   worldwide shows that such vertical approaches to health care has failed and
   is not cost effective. It is imperative that the renewal of comprehensive
   primary health care approaches is essential not only to achieve the MDGs but
   also health for all.

3) The PHM urges the member states to

·         Examine and reformulate their health policies to ensure that that
they are based on the principles of human rights.

·         Renew commitment to primary health care and invest in public
health systems.

·         Adopt the recommendations in the report of the Commission on
Social Determinants of Health and ensure adequate resource allocations to
implement its recommendations

Contact: secretariat at phmovement.org  . For media matters:
media at phmovement.org
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