PHM-Exch> Fwd: Bulletin #41: Nurses spark hope for right to health as new year begins

[Health PD]

This fortnight As a new year begins, nurses around the world are at the
forefront of the struggle for the right to health. Tens of thousands of
nurses in parts of the United Kingdom went on strike in December 2022.
After years of being ignored by different administrations, seeing their
working conditions and labor rights shattered, nurses joined the wave of
action against the commodification of basic rights and rising costs of
living. We met with Anthony Johnson from Nurses United [https://peop

Bulletin #41: Nurses spark hope for right to health as new year begins
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/bulletin-41/>
By People's Health Dispatch – 06 Jan 2023 – View online →
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/bulletin-41/>

This fortnight

As a new year begins, nurses around the world are at the forefront of the
struggle for the right to health.

Tens of thousands of nurses in parts of the United Kingdom went on strike
in December 2022. After years of being ignored by different
administrations, seeing their working conditions and labor rights
shattered, nurses joined the wave of action against the commodification of
basic rights and rising costs of living. We met with Anthony Johnson
from Nurses
United
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/06/british-nurses-are-struggling-to-save-nhs-from-privatization/>
UK ahead of the second phase of the nurses’ action, announced for January
18 and 19.

The grievances raised by nurses in the UK are echoed in many other
countries. A group of nurses in Portugal
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/02/shared-systemic-issues-inspire-solidarity-between-portuguese-and-british-nurses/>launched
a solidarity initiative soon after the first day of the strike in the NHS.
They call for international support and joint efforts for improving the
working conditions in public health systems. In New York City
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/05/at-least-12000-nyc-nurses-poised-to-strike/>,
around 12,000 nurses announced they would go on strike on January 9,
protesting chronic understaffing and inadequate pay, among other things.

In India
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2022/12/21/nurses-unions-in-india-demand-active-participation-in-formulation-of-workforce-policies/>,
nurses’ trade unions are demanding an active role in processes that lead to
policies which influence their workplaces. In Georgia, transition from
socialism has led to deterioration
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/01/healthcare-now-and-then-soviet-georgia-to-the-present/>of
healthcare for patients. It has also led to abominable working conditions
for nurses
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/04/healthcare-now-and-then-why-no-one-wants-to-be-a-nurse-anymore/>.
Dian Maria Blandina from the People’s Health Movement met with Sopiko
Japaridze from the trade union Solidarity Network to discuss recent
attempts to unionize nurses and healthcare in Georgia.

Nurses, just like ambulance drivers, pharmacists, and physicians, remain a
target of oppressive regimes. After Dr Şebnem Korur Fincancı of the Turkish
Medical Association
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/06/persecution-of-dr-sebnem-korur-fincanci-continues-in-turkey/>
was arrested on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda in October last
year, the Erdoğan administration continues to pursue its aim of weakening
this progressive professional organization.

In Brazil
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/05/in-four-years-of-bolsonaro-healthcare-lost-funding-quality-and-reach/>,
the beginning of 2023 was met with more hope as Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
was sworn in as president for the third time. Yet, the country’s health
system now faces a tough road to recovery following the degradation brought
upon the Unified Health System by the Bolsonaro administration.
------------------------------

*Video: British nurses are struggling to save NHS from privatization
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/06/british-nurses-are-struggling-to-save-nhs-from-privatization/>*

Anthony Johnson of Nurses United UK explains how struggles by nurses are
not just about pay but to defend the National Health Service which is at
risk of being privatized
  <https://youtu.be/0NBl56CxpE0>

*Video: Healthcare now and then: Why no one wants to be a nurse anymore
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/04/healthcare-now-and-then-why-no-one-wants-to-be-a-nurse-anymore/>*

After discussing healthcare in Soviet Georgia
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/01/healthcare-now-and-then-soviet-georgia-to-the-present/>,
Sopiko Japaridze focuses on the conditions of nurses and other healthcare
staff in recent times.
  <https://youtu.be/Hb_RWe1VgJs>
------------------------------
Featured articles

*At least 12,000 NYC nurses poised to strike
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/05/at-least-12000-nyc-nurses-poised-to-strike/>*

Nurses that were hailed as heroes at the beginning of the pandemic are
today facing chronic understaffing, inadequate pay, and threats to their
healthcare benefits

*Shared systemic issues inspire solidarity between Portuguese and British
nurses
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/02/shared-systemic-issues-inspire-solidarity-between-portuguese-and-british-nurses/>*

A historic strike by nurses in the United Kingdom inspired solidarity among
health workers in Portugal, who are fighting their own struggle for a
better public health system

*Nurses unions in India demand active participation in formulation of
workforce policies
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2022/12/21/nurses-unions-in-india-demand-active-participation-in-formulation-of-workforce-policies/>*

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had released draft guidelines on
the working conditions of nursing personnel across both public and private
sector establishments in August. Nurses’ unions have complained that the
draft was developed without any meaningful consultation with them

*In four years of Bolsonaro, healthcare lost funding, quality and reach
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/05/in-four-years-of-bolsonaro-healthcare-lost-funding-quality-and-reach/>*

The new government begins work with billions less for the sector and faces
the challenge of rebuilding primary care
------------------------------
Short reads

*Persecution of Dr Şebnem Korur Fincancı continues in Turkey
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/06/persecution-of-dr-sebnem-korur-fincanci-continues-in-turkey/>*

Şebnem Korur Fincancı, elected president of the Turkish Medical
Association, remains imprisoned after her arrest in October, as the
professional organization faces pressure from the government
------------------------------
UK health workers fight to protect NHS
Credits: The Royal College of Nursing (RCN, photos 1-3), RCN North West
(4), UNISON (5), Shelley Pearce (6), The Peace News (7), Leanne Patrick (8)
------------------------------
In case you missed it
The year 2022 for health in Africa : Peoples Dispatch
The Atlas of African Health Statistics 2022 gauges the overall health
situation in Africa by measuring certain key statistics. The picture is not
a pretty one.
Peoples Dispatch•Peoples Dispatch
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/01/04/the-year-2022-for-health-in-africa/>
Howard Brown Health Wants to Lay Off 60 New Union Members
Howard Brown Health Center is well known as an LGBTQ-focused health
provider and a stalwart Chicago progressive institution. Workers say that
on the heels of their recent unionization, management is laying off 60
workers.
•Peter Lucas
<https://jacobin.com/2023/01/howard-brown-lgbtq-health-union-layoff-retaliation>
What is Up with the New Covid Variants and How Dangerous are They? |
NewsClick
China and the US are among the countries that have been affected by the new
COVID variant.
Newsclick•<a href=”/taxonomy/term/8088″ hreflang=“en”>Newsclick Team</a>
<https://www.newsclick.in/what-new-covid-variants-and-how-dangerous-are-they>
Health workers in UK intensify their fight for fair wages and dignity :
Peoples Dispatch
Underpaid and overworked, workers of the UK’s National Health Service are
demanding a wage hike on par with inflation
Peoples Dispatch•Peoples Dispatch
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2022/12/22/health-workers-in-uk-intensify-their-fight-for-fair-wages-and-dignity/>
Divided World Trade Organization Presses To Delay Decision On IP Waiver For
COVID Treatments - Health Policy Watch
The World Trade Organization (WTO) TRIPS Council agreed to recommend to the
General Council, WTO’s highest-level decision-making body, that it extend
Health Policy Watch•John Heilprin
<https://healthpolicy-watch.news/divided-world-trade-organization-presses-to-delay-decision-on-ip-waiver-for-covid-treatments/>
People repelled at Lithuania border face increased suffering | MSF
Increased border controls and continuous pushbacks of migrants from the
borders of Lithuania and Latvia have an often detrimental consequences to
people’s health, especially with winter approaching.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International•Press Release15 December 2022
<https://www.msf.org/people-repelled-lithuania-border-face-increased-suffering>
*People’s Health Dispatch is an initiative of Peoples Dispatch and the
People's Health Movement*
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