PHM-Exch> Fwd: Bulletin #54: Promising health reforms bring optimism and hope

[Health PD]

Bulletin #54: Promising health reforms bring optimism and hope
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/d5a7f9ef?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
By People's Health Dispatch • 13 Jul 2023 View in browser
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This fortnight

The governments in Colombia and Brazil have ambitious plans to introduce
health reforms that could significantly expand health rights. These reforms
are a response to long periods dominated by neoliberal,
pro-commercialization policies in their health systems. During the last
World Health Assembly, activists from the WHO Watch team met with Dr. Jaime
Urrego
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/b6607138?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>,
Vice-Minister of Health of Colombia, to discuss the details of the health
reform planned by the Petro-Márquez government.

In Brazil, the 17th National Health Conference concluded
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/9ebaf8e5?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>with
a sense of hope and determination to strengthen the Unified Health System
(SUS) after the Bolsonaro administration severely impacted people's health
during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference, attended by thousands of
delegates designated during open consultations in the preceding months,
included President Lula and Health Minister Nísia Trindade Lima. The event
closed with a call for further democratization of the public health system
to give voice to different groups
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/906b8f93?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>whose
well-being is at stake.

While Cuba
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/81180b45?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>remains
one of the brightest examples in Latin America and the world in terms of
organized healthcare, the provision of care is burdened by the effects of
the US-imposed blockade. Despite facing barriers in importing optimal
amounts of medical supplies, including oxygen and syringes, during the
COVID-19 pandemic, the island managed to develop, produce, and share its
own vaccines.

The British National Health System (NHS
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/6a889693?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>)
recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. However, data indicates that
years of under-funding and cuts have left their mark, and health inequities
persist throughout the United Kingdom. Health workers continue to fight the
government for fair salary increases and the implementation of
people-centered policies.

In South Korea
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/22891383?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>,
health workers are also striking. On July 13, the Korean Health and Medical
Workers' Union launched a nationwide strike to secure safe staffing ratios,
among other things.

A recent report from the International Labor Organization emphasizes the
crucial role of trade unions in protecting the rights of health workers
worldwide. However, workers in private health facilities are generally less
unionized than their counterparts in the public sector, making them more
vulnerable to exploitation. We bring more on this topic in our Data speaks
section.

On July 5, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, the Indian chapter of the People's Health
Movement, announced the 4th Amit Sengupta Fellowship on Health Rights.
During the event, health experts and activists reflected on the
contributions made by Dr. Amit Sengupta
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/89879a1e?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
to the global health movement, expressing their hope that more people will
follow in his footsteps.
------------------------------

*Video: Colombia’s Vice-Minister of Health explains the country’s new
health reform
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/b30bb413?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>*

The government of Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez has initiated an
ambitious health reform in Colombia, which could make essential care more
accessible to the people. Health activists from the WHO Watch program met
with Dr. Jaime Urrego, Vice-Minister of Health of Colombia, to discuss its
impacts

<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/6e08acfa?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
------------------------------
In focus

*The people are the builders of the Brazil’s Unified Health System
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/e8b0ae32?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>*

The 17th National Health Conference saw debates on four thematic axes on
which guests and delegates could address the need to construct a truly
equitable Unified Health System (SUS). Social movements were actively
involved in the process

*In a first, delegation of migrants attends Brazil’s National Health
Conference
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/556e9de6?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>*

The delegates representing the migrant population were elected at the Open
National Conference on the Health of Migrant Populations. They will present
20 proposals for the for the Unified Health System (SUS)
------------------------------
Featured articles

*Remembering Dr. Amit Sengupta’s legacy in the health movement
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/6ef05ec1?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>*

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan recently announced the recipients of the 4th Amit
Sengupta Fellowship on Health Rights. The announcement was followed by
reflections on Dr. Sengupta’s activist legacy and a discussion on
tuberculosis in India

*Health workers in South Korea prepare for nationwide strike*
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/ee8efde9?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>

The Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union is preparing to launch a
nationwide strike from July 13 as government continues to ignore grievances
concerning staffing and pay. The union expects approximately 45,000 health
workers in 145 workplaces to join the strike

*The NHS at 75 years: A sharp turn needed to fight health inequities
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/1cb0c5f7?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>*

75 years after its establishment, the NHS continues to enjoy strong support
among health workers and patients, but struggles under the burden of
divestment and prioritization of the private sector
------------------------------
Short reads

*Cuban president slams US for “genocidal act” of depriving Cubans of oxygen
during the pandemic
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/e194bf78?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>*

Cuba was prohibited from accessing spare parts for their only oxygen plant
as well as importing medical oxygen due to the blockade, as COVID-19 ran
rampant
------------------------------
Data speaks

*Health workers’ unionization in latest ILO report*

A recent report
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/3f86be2d?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>by
the International Labour Organization (ILO) examines the working conditions
of essential workers in areas such as food systems, retail, sanitation, and
health. Due to the nature of their jobs, these workers were among the
people most exposed to the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, their
contributions were seldom recognized in practice, and they continue to be
overworked and underpaid.

In the health sector, workers have been protesting for safe staffing, safer
workplaces, and better quality of care since the beginning of the pandemic.
These requests have been echoed by health workers in both the public and
private sectors. However, ILO data shows that workers in private facilities
remain less unionized than their counterparts in the public sector.
Considering that higher unionization rates have been associated with
decreased infection and mortality rates during the pandemic, and
recognizing that organized labor is more likely to efficiently support
workers during strikes and other actions, the ILO data suggests that health
workers in the private sector are more exposed to different forms of
exploitation.

As the report clearly states, when workers are organized, working
conditions improve. Unionization should be promoted in all parts of the
health system to encourage greater worker participation in the creation of
better workplaces and policies that lead to improved health.
*Source:* Analysis based on ILO Microdata Repository (ILOSTAT), 2019 or
latest year; World Employment and Social Outlook 2023: The value of
essential work. Geneva: International Labour Office, 2023.
------------------------------
In case you missed it
Nations where 3.3bn live spend more on debt than health, schools
Almost half of humanity lives in countries that spend more servicing
interest on debt than health or education, UN says.
Al Jazeera•Al Jazeera
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/dd42dd0a?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
REVEALED: Big pharma made £12 billion of ‘excess profits’ from selling
drugs to the NHS — Just Treatment
Our new report with Global Justice Now and STOPAIDS has revealed that big
pharma made £12 billion of ‘excess profits’ from selling just 10 drugs to
the NHS over the last decade.
Just Treatment•Hope Worsdale
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/125a79dc?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
Call to Action - No Pandemic Treaty without us: Health and Care Workers’
Rights, Now!
We need your engagement to influence negotiations on the Pandemic Treaty,
carried out by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) of the World
Health Organisation (WHO).
Public Services International The global union federation of workers in
public services•Susana Barria
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/28d0f259?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
18 Million Doses Of Malaria Vaccine Due To Be Distributed Soon To 12
Countries In Africa - Health Policy Watch
Twenty-two months after the world’s first malaria vaccine RTS,S was
approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), 12 countries in Africa
will soon receive
Health Policy Watch•Megha Kaveri
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/dba0b4b7?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
Right to health in Egypt Health inequity during COVID-19
Right to health in Egypt: Health inequity during COVID-19 in Egypt - Ahmed
Azab
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/78093cb8?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022:
Special focus on gender - UNICEF DATA
The latest available data about women and children from UNICEF
UNICEF DATA•tkarino
<https://peoples-health-dispatch.ghost.io/r/aaf2fb48?m=7fbe802b-41b0-46c0-a257-5e71e0284f0a>
*People’s Health Dispatch is an initiative of Peoples Dispatch and the
People's Health Movement*
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