PHM-Exch> Fwd: [Test] Bulletin #8: Centuries-long struggles for universal access to care

[Jyotsna Singh]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Peoples Health Dispatch <health at peoplesdispatch.org>
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2021 at 23:25
Subject: [Test] Bulletin #8: Centuries-long struggles for universal access
to care
To: <ana at phmovement.org>


This fortnight One hundred years ago, insulin was discovered. Scientists
sold the patent for 1 USD, hoping that their discovery will ensure basic
health care for millions of people around the world. Today, three
pharmaceutical companies control the insulin market and are making use of
patent privileges to keep the products out of reach of half of those in
need. The WHO Watch team reports on recent actio

Bulletin #8: Centuries-long struggles for universal access to care
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/p/6eebac98-8fb9-40c4-b348-9e21bcd1054b/>
By People's Health Dispatch – 09 Sep 2021 – View online →
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/p/6eebac98-8fb9-40c4-b348-9e21bcd1054b/>

This fortnight

One hundred years ago, insulin
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/09/access-to-insulin-a-tale-of-100-years-of-disparity/>
was discovered. Scientists sold the patent for 1 USD, hoping that their
discovery will ensure basic health care for millions of people around the
world. Today, three pharmaceutical companies control the insulin market and
are making use of patent privileges to keep the products out of reach of
half of those in need. The WHO Watch team reports on recent action taken at
the World Health Assembly.

More than a century before the discovery of insulin, self-liberated slaves
in Haiti led an insurrection against the French, determined to build a
society based on self-determination. When a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit
Haiti on 14 August this year, the situation was far from what they
envisaged. An ongoing political and economic crisis continues to burden the
people of Haiti, impacting their access to necessary health care. We bring
an overview of the healthcare system
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/09/healthcare-in-haiti-suffers-in-the-midst-of-a-political-and-economic-crisis/>
and working conditions of health workers in Haiti.

In too many countries, women have worse access to Covid-19 vaccines
compared to men, while shouldering the larger part of the care-giving
burden, including as part of the health system. A recent campaign
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/08/feminists-for-a-peoples-vaccine-challenging-barriers-to-equitable-access/>launched
by Third World Network and Development Alternatives with Women for a New
Era aims to use the feminists’ rich mobilizing experience to ensure fair
access for everyone and support the TRIPS waiver proposal. People’s Health
Dispatch brings more on the campaign.

Vaccines are not the only health-related need women have trouble accessing.
This month, two very different examples of changes in access to
reproductive care have come up in neighboring communities. While Mexico's
Supreme Court
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/08/mexico-decriminalizes-abortion-in-historic-ruling/>ruled
in favor of decriminalizing abortion, Texas
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/02/outrage-in-us-following-texas-abortion-ban/>has
done exactly the opposite, jeopardizing access to care for thousands of
women. The latter is in our *In Case You Missed It* section.

Two months after the arrest of Shatha Odeh, director of Health Work
Committees, we speak to her daughter Shirin Abu Fannouneh about the most
recent developments
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/09/the-cost-of-being-a-palestinian-shatha-odehs-ordeal-in-prison/>
in her mother’s case and the Israeli Occupying Forces constant pressure on
civil society in Palestine.

In our *Data Speaks* section, we look into global public investment on
health.
------------------------------
Featured articles

*Access to insulin: A tale of 100 years of disparity*
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/09/access-to-insulin-a-tale-of-100-years-of-disparity/>

A century after the discovery of insulin, quality-assured access remains
hindered by high prices. The WHO resolution for transparency in pricing of
insulin aims at dealing with Big Pharma market monopoly

*Healthcare in Haiti suffers in the midst of a political and economic
crisis*
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/09/healthcare-in-haiti-suffers-in-the-midst-of-a-political-and-economic-crisis/>

The healthcare system in Haiti has been underfunded and understaffed for
years, and it is now facing a new set of challenges after the 14 August
earthquake in the southwest of the country

*Feminists for a People’s Vaccine: challenging barriers to equitable access
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/08/feminists-for-a-peoples-vaccine-challenging-barriers-to-equitable-access/>*

A newly launched campaign by the Third World Network and Development
Alternatives with Women for a New Era highlights the questions of
gender-based differences in access to Covid-19 vaccines, medicines,
therapeutics and equipment

*Mexico decriminalizes abortion in historic ruling
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/08/mexico-decriminalizes-abortion-in-historic-ruling/>*

Mexico’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the laws that penalize women
and pregnant persons for terminating their pregnancy are unconstitutional.
With the historic decision, the country’s top court decriminalized
abortions across national territory
------------------------------
Short reads

*Lebanon’s crisis hits healthcare*
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/09/lebanons-crisis-hits-healthcare/>

As Lebanon’s social and political crisis persists, health care is becoming
increasingly inaccessible for most people. Many medicines remain
unavailable and public health facilities face a surge of patients while
trying to cope with power reductions
------------------------------

*Video: The cost of being a Palestinian: Shatha Odeh’s ordeal in prison*
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/09/the-cost-of-being-a-palestinian-shatha-odehs-ordeal-in-prison/>

Shirin Abu Fannouneh, Shatha Odeh’s daughter, recounts her mother’s ordeal
to Dr. Delen De la Paz from the People’s Health Movement
  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE1MHiu1Vog&t=32s>
------------------------------
Data speaks
------------------------------
In case you missed it
Amid growing healthcare crisis Sri Lanka declares food emergency : Peoples
Dispatch
Despite the medical experts issuing warnings that the healthcare crisis may
worsen in the coming weeks, the Gotabaya Rajapaksa-led government has
declared a ‘food emergency’ in Sri Lanka
Peoples Dispatch•Peoples Dispatch
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/08/amid-growing-healthcare-crisis-sri-lanka-declares-food-emergency/>
NHS Dentistry Is in Crisis – The Only Solution Is a Real Public System
NHS dentistry in England is facing a crisis, with 80% of appointments
delayed since Covid-19 and a 40% increase in fees since 2010 – the only
solution is a proper public system: well funded and free to access.
•Rizwana Lala
<https://tribunemag.co.uk/2021/09/nhs-dentistry-is-in-crisis-the-only-solution-is-a-real-public-system>
Outrage in US following Texas abortion ban : Peoples Dispatch
The law passed by the Texas state legislature, called the “heartbeat bill”,
effectively bans abortions by limiting window to legally terminate
pregnancy at six weeks and also rewards those reporting any attempted
abortion
Peoples Dispatch•Peoples Dispatch
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/09/02/outrage-in-us-following-texas-abortion-ban/>
Are BioNTech laboratories really coming to Rwanda & Senegal?
Both Rwanda and Senegal have welcomed news of BioNTech considering opening
a vaccine production plant in each country.
The Africa Report
<https://www.theafricareport.com/123515/are-biontech-laboratories-really-coming-to-rwanda-senegal/>
COVID-19 boosters in rich nations will delay vaccines for all - Nature
Medicine
Nature Medicine - <ArticleTitle Language="En"
xml:lang="en">COVID-19 boosters in rich nations will delay
vaccines for...
Nature Medicine•Zain Chagla
<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01494-4>
Uncertainty, but hospitals are still full in Afghanistan | MSF
Amid the uncertainty and upheaval in Afghanistan, MSF teams are continuing
to work in hospitals across the country. Two MSF medical staff recount how,
once the fighting subsided, an influx of patients arrived in Lahskar Gah
and Khost provinces.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International•Voices from the Field27 August
2021
<https://www.msf.org/uncertainty-hospitals-are-still-full-afghanistan>
The COVID-19 pandemic & the reshaping of the international public health
order - RLS Geneva
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a profound overhaul of the international
public health order. What are the challenges?
RLS Geneva
<https://rosalux-geneva.org/the-covid-19-pandemic-the-reshaping-of-the-international-public-health-order/>
Adding Fuel to Fire: How IMF demands for austerity will drive up inequality
worldwide - Oxfam Policy & Practice
The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a huge blow to every country, and many
governments have struggled to meet their populations’ urgent needs during
the crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stepped in to offer
extra support to a large number of countries during the pandemic. However,
Oxfam’…
Oxfam Policy & Practice•Share on Twitter
<https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/adding-fuel-to-fire-how-imf-demands-for-austerity-will-drive-up-inequality-worl-621210/>
*People’s Health Dispatch is an initiative of Peoples Dispatch and the
People's Health Movement*
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PHM Europe
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