From the ancestral territory of the Mapuche people in Patagonia, Argentina, the voice of the people in defense of the right to health was heard at the global launch of the 5th People's Health Assembly in a hybrid event that brought together activists and members of the PHM from around the world.

Peoples marching in diversity, fists raised, in the midst of a humanitarian crisis and profound discussions on the right to health around the world, the People's Health Movement (PHM) together with affiliated networks and popular and community organizations in Argentina launched the 5th People's Health Assembly (PHA5) for Latin America, Mar del Plata 2024, in the framework of the closing of the 33rd National and Latin American Meeting of Laicrimpo Health "We are the dream, the ancestral echo, the mother earth that we embrace" Trenque Lauquen, Argentina this Sunday, November 5, 2023.

The People’s Health Movement (PHM) reaffirms its support and solidarity to the Palestinian struggle for their freedom, land and dignity. 

Latest in Gaza

The Palestinian Medical Relief Society PMRS Gaza Update 7-26th Oct 2023 

The International People’s Health University (IPHU) of the People’s Health Movement (PHM) Jointly with its Thematic Group on Equitable Health Systems announce “The Struggle for Health” a six-day short training course for young health activists in the East and South Africa (ESA) region from 27th November to 2nd December 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya

"(CDoH) - Concept, cases and challenges for activism" is the title of a new webinar organized The People's Health Movement (PHM) Equitable Health System / Food Sovereignty and Nutrition thematic groups together with the Public Health Resource Network (PHRN).

In 2023 or safe abortion campaign enphasized on our demand for 'Access to safe, quality, and legal abortion' and strengthen global solidarity on feminist and public movements. As PHM, we stand affirm in speaking out for the Abortion rights of ALL young girls, women, and gender non-binary persons. As ardent supporters of reproductive justice, we reiterate that abortion is healthcare and equitable access to safe, legal, and healthcare system-provided abortion must not be compromised under any circumstances.

Dr. Helena Paro, Brazil

1. Who is Helena Paro? 

The People’s Health Movement congratulates the Health Justice Initiative (HJI) on their important victory. In August this year, the Pretoria High Court ruled that the South African National Department of Health should provide HJI with access to all COVID-19 contracts the South African government had signed with Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Serum Institute of India, and COVAX.

We are thrilled to introduce the new PHM instagram account on Instagram.

Our new instagram account its an opportunity to engage with a wide audience of people, activists and organizations from around the world, to share news and information on the global health agenda, the social determinants of health, our thematic circles  and the 5th People’s Health Assembly  to be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 2024.
Our instagram account is available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic

Follow us, share, engage, join us in the struggle for health for all 

The People's Health Movement -PHM- will participate in the United Nations 78th General Assembly Meeting, which will be held from 20th to 22nd September in New York this year. PHM will set its position at UNGA78 in three of the health related agenda items: Universal Health Coverage -UHC-; Tuberculosis -TB-  and Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR).

The PHM expresses its solidarity with the Libyan people after the floods that have left a whole community devastated with thousands dead and so many more affected by the consequences of this disaster. We want to bring a message of hope and relief to those who are suffering and mourning their losses in a country already battered by years of conflict.

We urge the international community and civil society organizations to provide the necessary support to bring relief to the survivors and rebuild communities in the affected areas without a geopolitical agenda at this time of crisis.

People of the world who struggle for social justice and health equity fondly remember and carefully reflect on the legacy of Salvador Allende this September 11, on the 50th anniversary of the tragic coup d'état in Chile. This brutally ended, with thousands of dead and disappeared, the constitutional government of Allende who led the unprecedented, peaceful and democratic  construction of socialism, anointed by popular vote.

The People's Health Movement expresses its solidarity and support to the Moroccan people for the material destruction and human suffering caused by the recent earthquake. 

We call on our fellow health activists in the Mena region and Europe to participate in the reconstruction and promote support and relief to those who need it. 

Solidarity is the love of the people, and this is the time to make it effective.

PHM Global Secretariat

The COVID pandemic finally convinced even the most skeptical: public health is, and must more than ever be, a concern for politicians. Submitting it to the laws of the market is a crime. 

Nobody would dare saying that public health is exclusively a national matter and that Europe has no powers in this area. However, European cornerstones such as the golden rules of budgetary convergence, free competition, freedom of establishment, etc. pose an enormous risk to public health.

Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, was the setting for the first global summit on ancestral medicine organized by WHO and the Indian government in August 2023. Although it came as a surprise to some media, to others, it is a further step in the recognition of traditional ancestral knowledge. The WHO summit was preceded by the creation of the World Center for Traditional Medicine in India in 2022.

Dr. Aye Nyein Thu, Myanmar

Background

Great Britain made Burma a province of India in 1886, assigning Rangoon as the capital city. This colonial history set the stage for undemocratic rule in the nation for decades. Burma suffered military rule starting in the 1960s, challenged by a large protest movement in 1988 that was crushed by authorities.

Dr. Paulo Fleury, Brazil

1. Who is Paulo Fleury Teixeira?

Paulo Fleury Teixeira is a graduate of the Federal University of Minha Gerais (1986), with a specialization in Preventive and Social Medicine at the Hospital das Clínicas of the UFMG. He also holds a Master's degree in Philosophy from the Federal University of Minha Gerais (1993) and a PhD in Philosophy from the same institution (2003).

Lucrecia Salva Fuentes, Mexico

1. Who is Lucrecia Salva Fuentes?

Lucrecia Salva Fuentes was a nurse, activist for the right to health, activist for the rights of migrants and against gender violence. Lucrecia was head nurse at the General Hospital de Alta Especialidad Ciudad Salud in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico, on the border with Guatemala. Lucrecia had a doctorate in Public Health and Health Management, a master's degree in Education Sciences and a specialty as a medical-surgical specialist.

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, USA

Background

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, revoking the constitutional right to abortion. After 50 years of protected abortion rights, this decision removed the reproductive autonomy of women, girls, and individuals who have a uterus by making abortion access difficult or nearly impossible in states with conservative legislatures and governors. Abortions, more specifically induced abortions, are medically performed for a variety of reasons.

The People's Health Movement’s WHO Watch programme closely follows two annual meetings at the World Health Organization - the Executive Board meeting which takes place in January-February, and the World Health Assembly held in May. We undertake this process as part of democratising global health governance. The work is supported by many resource persons of PHM and allied organisations who bring their expertise on specific issues to this forum.

Our international systems of global health emergency response and pandemic preparedness are being reformed.  An International Negotiating Body (INB) has been convened to facilitate discussions on a new pandemic treaty, while a Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (WGIHR) is debating proposed reforms to t

María Cristina Cobo Mahecha, Colombia -

1.

PHM is preparing to watch the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA76) of the World Health Organisation. The session will take place from 21st to 30th May in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Assembly takes place once and the Executive Board meeting takes place twice a year.