Global Health Watch 7: What is New in it's latest edition?

We present a video gallery of the statements made by the team of WHO Watchers, with the PHM's statements on various issues ranging from public pharmaceuticals, maternal health, health care workers, and non-communicable diseases, among others.

In a historic vote, WHO member countries adopted the Global Pandemic Treaty, an agreement to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics. In the end, with a unanimous vote of 124 in favor, 0 against, and 11 abstentions, the WHO adopted the pandemic agreement. 

From 19 to 27 May 2025, the People's Health Movement’s WHO Watch programme closely follows the 78th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization. We undertake this process as part of democratising global health governance. The work is supported by the WHO tracker, many resource persons of PHM across the world and allied organisations who bring their expertise on specific issues to this forum. 

Attached below you can find all the Statements, Daily Briefs and the Policy Brief

The People’s Health Movement calls for urgent action to preserve, protect and improve the work of the World Health Organization in the wake of the United States government’s intended withdrawal from the multilateral body. The US withdrawal deepens the weakening of the WHO that began in the 1980s with the emergence of an international health governance structure that progressively has supplanted WHO, usurped its functions, reduced its funding, opened the door to interested private donors, impeded the fulfillment of its constitutional mandate, and then ideologically dominated it.

This fortnight at the People's Health Dispatch

As we mark four years and 100 issues of People’s Health Dispatch, we remain dedicated to reporting on grassroots struggles for health justice, the political economy of health, and global solidarity. From the beginning, our goal has been to amplify the voices of those fighting for the right to health – from health workers in occupied Palestine to Public Pharma campaigns to underfunded public systems around the world. 

People power came through! At our press conference on the road to #Nyeleni2025, movements from across the globe raised their voices for systemic transformation. From the ground up, with hope!

Negombo, Sri Lanka, the vibrant coastal port known for its diverse and extensive fish market, was the setting for the second meeting of the International Steering Committee organizing the 3rd Nyeleni Global Forum, which will take place in September 2025.

A conversation preparing for the 78th World Health Assembly by envisioning the WHO we need and reflecting on the WHO we have.

Wednesday 7th of May at 12-13:30pm UTC time / 7am Colombia / 2pm South Africa

LINK for registration: https://tinyurl.com/WHA78preparing 

The People's Health Movement War and Conflict Thematic Circle, in cooperation with the People's Health Movement - Philippines launched "A Struggle for Social Justice and Accountability: A Webinar on the Case of Crimes against Humanity in the Philippines".

Under the title: From a political economy of disease to a political economy of well-being, the People's Health Movement (PHM), together with allied organizations and the publishing house Daraja Press, are launching the introductory chapter of the seventh edition of its flagship publication, the Global Health Watch.

The People Health Movement and the Food Sovereignty Movement will stand side by side in the 3rd Nyéléni Global Forum, to strengthen their connections and show the world that there can be no global health without food sovereignty, just as the food system must be based on the concept of care in order to unleash its transformative potential. In this interview with Marcos Filardi, Roman Vega, David Legge and Lauren Paremoer, from PHM, we explore interconnections between two of the global movements coming together in this Nyéléni Process.

The Steering Council of the People’s Health Movement (PHM) met on February 26-28, 2025, that took place in turbulent times, it would be easy to succumb to despair.

The People’s Health Movement (PHM) outlines a bold vision for Public Pharma as a cornerstone of its transformative agenda to address systemic inequities perpetuated by capitalism and imperialism. This position paper calls for dismantling the dominance of Big Pharma and replacing it with a state-led, people-centered model for the research, development, manufacturing, and distribution of health technologies.

Join us for a webinar on the situation of women in the DRC, where three specialists will analyze the impact of war on their safety, their access to healthcare and their living conditions in a context of extreme violence. Congolese women are on the front line of the atrocities caused by the war in eastern DR Congo. It is more essential than ever to be aware of their reality and to understand the extent of the violence they suffer on a daily basis.

A Mapuche family is uprooted from their ancestral land by a nexus of political power and private industry.

One night, a Mapuche man is killed by hired agitators. His daughter Lucia, her mother and the entire community are forced off their land. Displaced, they migrate to a poor neighbourhood of Mar del Plata where Lucia attends school while her mother sells baskets at a local market.

Lucia—like many displaced Mapuche—grows up in an urban landscape devoid of cultural and community connections and values. She feels lost, disconnected from her roots, and marginalized.

3rd Nyéléni Global Forum: Chorus for ‘systemic transformation’ grows louder as Sri Lanka prepares to host the largest gathering of global social movements

For more information go to https://nyeleniglobalforum.org/ 

Building a common agenda towards Health For All, to protect Mother Earth and ensure the present and future health and sustainability of our common home, the People's Health Movement (PHM), the Global University for Sustainability, CCRD-CS, Lingnan University from China organized a series of webinars to address the different dimensions of ancestral and popular knowledge for native peoples from around the world, their meaning, scope and implications for the right to health in the world today.

PHM draws attention to the humanitarian crisis, violations to health rights in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The recent violence in the DRC has left behind a devastated city of Goma where many men, women and children are struggling for survival and facing terrible physical wounds as well as deep psychological trauma.

In this episode of Charter for Health we take a look into the current situation of human and health rights defenders, and health workers in the Philippines, as well as the economic pressure on people to access health in the asian archipelago.

PHM Global joins the campaign of the PHM country circle in the Democratic Republic of Congo to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict in the east of the country (Goma). Health rights are violated and access to emergency humanitarian aid and health services is compounded by the influx of people displaced by the conflict, which has reached a critical point since last January.

As we look towards International Women’s Day, we reflect on the ongoing struggles for gender justice, health equity, and non-discrimination in the face of deepening global crises. Growing geopolitical tensions have fuelled political polarisation, while social degradation and economic insecurity have allowed far-right authoritarian regimes to rise to power. 

You are cordially invited to this PHM War and Conflict webinar on the very dire situation in the DR Congo, "DR Congo: the consequences of imperialism".

During the webinar PHM WCA regional coordinator Erick Kambale will share a testimony on his recent trip to Goma, the heart of the conflict. He will be assisted by Jean-Claude Katende who will talk about the ´balkanisation´ of the DRC, and Marc Botenga, from The Left faction of the European Parliament and very vocal critic on the role of the EU in this conflict.

We are pleased to present the PHM Annual Report of activities for the year 2024. This report reflects the work of PHM activists from across the world in global programs, regional and country circles. From PHM Global we want to thank each and every activists who were committed to the struggle for health for all, as well as PHM affiliated networks, allied organizations and movements, to our funders for their efforts and support, without which it would not have been possible to achieve the results presented here.

The US Government’s recent policy shifts on foreign aid place millions of lives at risk around the world.  There has been a 90-day suspension of all US foreign aid, a defunding and winding down of USAID,  and the US withdrawal from, and end to financial contributions to, the World Health Organization (WHO). These actions have created a public health crisis.  

PHM's item commentaries for EB156 (selected items) are now posted. Navigate through the EB156 Tracker page to the PHM comments on individual item or download the integrated commentaries file here.

Thank you! Hundreds of people, anonymous donors from around the world, with donations starting at $5 Dollars, managed to reach the goal of $90,000 Dollars for the humanitarian support of medical supplies for the Al Awda field hospital in the city of Al Nuseirat in Central Gaza.

Back in October 2024, we had reported that the hospital was fully operational, bringing relief to the victims of the war with emergency medical care in the midst of the conflict and an extreme humanitarian crisis.

This analysis and commentary on selected items coming before the WHO Executive Board in February 2025 has been prepared by the People’s Health Movement as part of WHO Watch, a civil society initiative directed to the democratisation of global health governance (more about WHO Watch).

The People’s Health Movement, a global network of grassroots health activists, academics, and civil society organizations, joins the people of Gaza in relief and cautious hope as a temporary ceasefire comes into effect. After 15 months of devastating and genocidal aggression, this ceasefire offers a much-needed reprieve.

Join us on Tuesday 21 January 2025, from 15.00 to 16.30 for our fourth session of the G2H2 Policy Debates in a zoom webinar on “Challenging the idea of “substandard and falsified medical products”: what role for WHO in facilitating geographically diversified medical manufacturing?”, co-organized with People’s Health Movement (PHM). While attendance is public, registration is required. 

To attend the webinar, register here

PHM is preparing to participate in the WHO Executive Board meeting (EB156) by drafting comments on the agenda items listed for discussion. EB156 will be held in Geneva  from Monday, February 3 to Tuesday, February 11. You can be part of this process by logging into our WHO-Tracker page https://who-track.phmovement.org/eb156. The agenda items on which we plan to develop PHM commentaries are listed below.

By Prof. T. Sundararaman

Originally published at Right to Health Resources. Conversatiopns on health Policy

Background
The intensity of the shelling in northern Gaza in October, 2024, resulted in numerous deaths and destruction as reported by various international media with information from the Gaza Ministry of Health.
According to reports, at least 42,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 100,000 people have suffered war injuries since the start of the ongoing offensive in Gaza last year.

prepared by David Legge. 16 Dec 2024

The middle-income trap
The 2024 World Development Report (WDR24) is beautifully presented, easy to read, and its arguments are set out clearly. However, there is an arch duplicity behind the story being told and the report fails to acknowledge or evaluate downsides, contrary arguments, or alternative analytic models.

But first, a brief overview. The report addresses the ‘middle-income trap’ which refers to the barriers facing middle-income countries in seeking to progress to high-income status. 

"The Role of the Right to Health in the Current Context" is the title of this event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan JSA - PHM-India in the preamble to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the People's Health Movement at its first assembly in Bangladesh in 2000.

This event of significance in health activism will be held with the participation of founding members of JSA.
You are all invited to participate this December 15th 12 pm UTC / 5:30 pm India / 7 am Colombia.

Prof. Manuj Krishantha Weerasinghe, South Asian Coordinator of People’s Health Movement and member of People’s Health Movement Sri Lanka was appointed as the new Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) last November.

Weerasinghe, has been a Health rights activist advocating for providing medicines affordable prices for more than 30 years, studied at Royal College, Colombo, before entering the Medical Faculty of the Colombo University. 

On International Human Rights Day, the People's Health movement stands in solidarity with people affected by war, hunger, forced migration, forced labor, attacks on free speech and all forms of human rights violations.

People's Health Movement Southern Region Julio Monsalvo holds the first meeting of the newly created Gender Circle. The launching of this regional circle will take place on Tuesday, December 10, International Human Rights Day at the closing of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.

The Gender Circle is a transfeminist, intercultural and intersectional space, which arose from the need to provide a local response to the epidemic of gender violence and gender-based inequalities, with a special focus on Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

The past week witnessed the implementation of a ceasefire, which came into effect on Wednesday,
November 27. However, the early part of the week was marked by violent attacks, as detailed in Weekly
Situation Report #50 of the General Secretariat of the Supreme Defense Council, published on
November 29. In the days leading up to the ceasefire, between November 23 and November 27, a total
of 434 airstrikes were recorded across the country. In Beirut, these strikes were particularly intense,

On the Public Pharma for Europe Coalition website, you’ll also find a digital hub designed to gather, share, and disseminate information, experiences, and resources on the subject.

In the “Knowledge Hub” section, you can access research papers, studies, opinion articles, videos, and other materials related to Public Pharma. These resources have been curated to make knowledge more accessible and to encourage the exchange of ideas to address challenges and foster innovation.

After two months since the sharp escalation of violence launched by the Israeli army, the situation keeps deteriorating: the past two weeks, in particular, have underscored the aggressive and relentless nature of these attacks. While the South and the Bekaa Valley are subjected daily to evacuation orders—sometimes affecting entire villages—followed by continuous bombardments, the southern suburbs of Beirut have also experienced similar attacks. On Sunday, November 24 alone, more than 15 evacuation orders were issued.

We, the Alliance for the defense of the Sacred, have come from five continents to stand in solidarity with the Arhuaco and Kogui communities in defense of the water, rivers and ways of life of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. We call on water defense movements around the world, and in particular those in Colombia, to recognize the right of the Guatapurí River to flow in its natural state of purity and to express and act for its protection. Thus, it will be able to continue providing life, health and sustenance to the riverside communities and all beings that feed from it.

The global campaign for Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) begins every year on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women), and it concludes on December 10 (International Human Rights Day). 

The world is on fire as we see wars and conflicts are escalating in several countries and regions in the world. The ongoing genocide in Palestine, the wars in Lebanon and Yemen, the catastrophic situation in Sudan and the Democratic Republic Congo, have an enormous impact on the right to health of the people. War, conflict, occupation and forced migration are key social determinants of health exacerbating existing inequalities, therefore the People's Health Movement (PHM) decided to act. 

At the end of October, the situation remains extremely tense, with ongoing Israeli attacks targeting cities and villages across Lebanon. Since the conflict began, 178 paramedics have lost their lives, 279 have been injured, and 246 emergency vehicles have been targeted. The vulnerability of healthcare workers and facilities has become increasingly pronounced. There have been 55 documented attacks on healthcare facilities, with 36 hospitals directly targeted. These attacks have led to the forced closure of eight hospitals, with an additional seven operating at reduced capacity.

On behalf of the Palestinian people and the victims of the war, representing the People's Health Movement (PHM), Roman Vega, global coordinator of the PHM sent a letter to Philemon Yang of Cameroon, President of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations “demanding the immediate suspension of Israeli apartheid from the United Nations, just as South African apartheid was suspended in the past”.

In order to build a common agenda towards Health For All, to protect Mother Earth and ensure the present and future health and sustainability of our common home, the People's Health Movement (PHM), the Global University for Sustainability, CCRD-CS, Lingnan University from China organized a series of webinars to address the different dimensions of ancestral and popular knowledge for native peoples from around the world, their meaning, scope and implications for the right to health in the world today.

Spanish - English interpretation available

A month after the escalation of violence in Lebanon began, Israeli airstrikes continue to target densely populated areas, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern areas, affecting numerous villages and cities. The UNESCO-protected city of Tyre has faced a major evacuation order, issued by Israel on Wednesday, October 23, just before being targeted by heavy bombardment, leading to significant displacement.

Representatives of indigenous peoples from different parts of Latin America participating in the Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity -COP16- have taken a critical position towards the summit being held in Santiago de Cali, Colombia.

We see that at COP16 “there are no voices of leaders or indigenous youth... We want to see actions because actions help us save the planet, the more actions there are, the more alive the planet will be... we want less words.” Adriana Guatatuca, woman of the Kichwa indigenous people of Ecuador.

The murder of priest Marcelo Perez Perez, or jtatik Marcelo, as he was known in the region of Los Altos de Chiapas, on October 20, shocks the communities of southern Mexico and exposes the violence against social leaders, defenders of life, human rights defenders and environmentalists. The 50 year old clergyman had been threatened with death on multiple occasions for trying to find peace in various conflicts between communities, mining companies and organized crime groups operating in the area. 

Bangladesh's interim government has formed four new reform commissions, including one focused on women's affairs. At the People’s Health Movement we are thrilled to learn that Shireen Huq, a renowned feminist activist and founding member of Naripokkho and long term PHM activist , has been appointed to lead this important commission. This appointment marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh's feminist and people’s health movement, recognizing Huq's dedication and expertise in advancing women's rights.

24 October 2024: In a stirring message to UN member states, a coalition of more than 150 NGOs joined together to urge the international community to end the impunity that has allowed atrocities by Israeli forces against civilians to continue and escalate amid the growing catastrophe in Gaza, the West Bank and now Lebanon.  

Billions of people around the world lack access to medicines, vaccines, and other health technologies. Despite major public contributions, pharmaceutical development and production are largely controlled by the private sector, particularly large transnational corporations known as Big Pharma. 

Ancestral and popular knowledge, food sovereignty, the health of Mother Earth and the discussion around the health of ecosystems, are at the heart of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is being held in Cali (Colombia) from October 21 to November 1, 2024.

Without strong safeguards, the multilateral mechanism for digital sequence information could deepen the divide between developing and developed countries

Expanded version of the Article published by Down to Earth 

Sources at the Awda Hospital in Central Gaza assured that the Field Hospital is now operational, “We have started to run the emergency, outpatient and wound care services inside the field hospital,” said an official at the Al Awda Field Hospital in Al Nuseirat, Central Gaza. 

In addition to the figures and interventions reported in this Situation Report (SITREP), Amel  Association International (Amel) continues to ensure the continuity of its livelihood, protection, health,  food security, and education activities whenever and wherever possible. The organization reaches  thousands of individuals on a monthly basis. If you would like to receive our regular SITREP, please  send an email to: [email protected]. 

Context

The Public Pharma for Europe Coalition is a collaboration of various networks, social movements, civil society organizations, academics, and activists, united in advocating for a pharmaceutical system that prioritizes people’s health over profit.

On 16 October International Day of Action For People’s Food Sovereignty, and Against Transnational Corporations, we launched the 3rd Nyéléni Global Forum 2025 as a platform to unite movements and social struggles, and you are invited to be part of this global event.

Update: The IPHU was successfully concluded. Below you can find the reading materials and presentation recordings mainly in Spanish and some in Portuguese. 

Marches, demonstrations, sit-ins in support of the Palestinian people, the international call for an immediate cease-fire, to respect international humanitarian law, to halt attacks against the civilian population and to stop hostilities against health workers and the medical mission. #StopTheWar #NotATarget

In this episode of charter for health, we talk about the struggle for the right to health in Europe, gender justice and health, freedom of the press and the challenges of communication for health 
Our guest today is one of Charter4Health Podcast Producers, Ana Vračar, she is a Cultural anthropologist focused on critical and medical anthropology, master in public health. 
She has been an advisor to trade unions like the Organization for workers initiative in her country, Croatia 

The People'e Health Movement stands in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon. PHM members, allies and affiliated networks demonstrate on the streets in South Africa in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon and against the war #stopthewar #NotATarget

The People'e Health Movement stands in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon. PHM members, allies and affiliated networks demonstrate on the streets in The Philippines in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon and against the war #stopthewar #NotATarget

The People'e Health Movement stands in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon. PHM members, allies and affiliated networks demonstrate on the streets in India in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon and against the war #stopthewar #NotATarget

Since October 2023, the region has been experiencing a state of high and ongoing tension. In Lebanon, due to regional conflicts and military clashes on the southern Lebanese-Palestinian border, the risk and humanitarian threat have increased, particularly with the daily exchange of fire across the southern border. The most intense bombardment is concentrated within 12 km of the Blue Line, while targeted Israeli airstrikes reach deep into the country, extending up to 100 km from the border.

The Belgian organization Viva Salud organized a clothesline action on Albertina Square in Brussels. On a clothesline, they hung bloody doctor's coats, gloves and other medical equipment as a symbol of the destruction of the health infrastructure in Gaza and the wounding, kidnapping and killing of health workers by the Israeli occupation army.

Marches, demonstrations, sit-ins in support of the Palestinian people, the international call for an immediate cease-fire, to respect international humanitarian law, to halt attacks against the civilian population and to stop hostilities against health workers and the medical mission.

The People's Health Movement is launching a fundraising campaign to support a new field hospital of the AWDA Health and Community Association in Al Nuseirat, the center of Gaza.

In this episode of charter4health we address the holding of the fifth People's health assembly in Mar del Plata, Argentina in April 2024. its discussions, scope and the logistical, financial and political challenges involved in its organization.

The Conference on Biodiversity -COP16- is scheduled to take place on October 21st - Nov 1st 2024 in Cali - Colombia. This event will involve many governments, social organizations and movements, private and public institutions, and academics (See here: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024). 

In this episode of Charter4Health we address the topic of traditional medicine and ancestral and popular knowledge.
Our guest is Vivian Camacho, a woman of the Quechua indigenous people, physician, promoter of ancestral medicine, health activist, member of the People's Health Movement, currently serving as national director of traditional medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Plurinational Government of Bolivia.

The world is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises—climate change, pandemics, natural disasters, genocides, wars, and soaring inequality. The international response, led by the United Nations and its multilateral system, has largely failed to deliver real solutions. Instead, global governance continues to be shaped by the interests of powerful corporations and a handful of wealthy nations, perpetuating a system that overlooks the needs of the majority, particularly in the Global South.

After the Israeli invasions in the North (Jabalya) and afterwards in the South (Rafah), the center of Gaza has been flooded with displaced people. Before the war the population in mid-Gaza was estimated at 320,000, today around  940,000 people are seeking shelter in the center of Gaza. This led to a situation in which the AWDA hospital in Al Nuseirat, the center of Gaza, is working at 400% of its capacities.

The PHM Democratising Global Health Governance programme invites you to a webinar to discuss Gender Politics and Global Health Governance.

The People's Health Movement stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan, suffering from a conflict that has been raging since 2023.

The high price tag on the HIV drug lenacapavir underscores the widespread dysfunction within Big Pharma
By Alan Rossi Silva (Originally piublished in the People's Dispatch)

Photo: HIV PrEP campaign, Washington DC. Source: Elvert Barnes/Flickr

In this episode of Charter for Health we approach the discussion of free trade agreements, commercialization and privatization of health systems and the impacts on local economies, healthcare and access to medicines in developing countries.

In this episode of Charter for Health we take a look into the current situation of human and health rights defenders, and health workers in the Philippines, as well as the economic pressure on people to access health in the asian archipelago.

PHM Europe invites all health activists within the EU region interested in Democratising Global Health Governance to apply for the upcoming Online People Health University Training course.

The aim is to strengthen the articulation between our global and local activism as a movement and to deepen and broaden our understanding of Global Health Governance, encompassing the political economy of capitalism and imperialism and the geopolitics of intergovernmental relations.

Note: The applicant selection has been delayed. We expect the course to start a week later i.e. from 18th September. We hope to notify the applicants before 13th September 2024. 

The East and South Africa Regional Coordination of the People’s Health Movement (PHM) is pleased to announce International People's Health University (IPHU) short online course on Democratising Global Health Governance (GHG): “Local Strategies for Global Health: How Grassroots Mobilisation and Advocacy can Contribute to Democratising Global Health Governance”

Introduced by Professor Ron Labonté, In this Episode of Charter for Health we dive into the editing process, the importance of the Global Health Watch for the Movement in a conversation with Chiara Bodini, she is a Medical doctor and surgeon, PhD in Public Health, Chiara has a history of health activism and within the People's Health Movement where she has been spokesperson for PHM Europe, and a co-chair at PHM Steering Committee. At the Moment She is a co-editor of the Global Health Watch and the executive producer of the GHW Podcast.

In this episode of Charter for Health we dig into the origins of the People’s Health Movement and how its creation has influenced and reshaped the activism for the right to health.

A direct conversation with Claudio Schuftan, physician, pediatrician, a tireless activist for the right to health. Claudio is Co-founder of the People's Health Movement.

The Colombia Circle of the People's Health Movement (PHM) invites you to participate in the national training course of the International People's Health University (IPHU), Health for and with the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia, which will be held from October 7 to 11, 2024 in Pueblo Bello, Cesar, Colombia.
Opening of the call for registrations: August 12, 2024 
Deadline for applications: September 12, 2024 
Information on selected participants: September 18-19, 2024

In this episode of Charter4Health, a special guest discusses the context of health systems in Latin America, and the inter-regional dialogue of the PHM. Matheus Falcâo is co-director of the Brazilian Center for Health Studies (Cebes) and has been regional coordinator of PHM in Brazil. Matheus is a lawyer and activist for the right to health.

Solidarity Statement
People’s Health Movement (PHM) - Global

Bangladesh is currently experiencing a turbulent period that began with a demand for quota reform in early July. What started off as a peaceful protest by the university students against the quota system has transformed into a full-fledged crisis affecting the lives and well-being of the citizens due to a nationwide crackdown by state authorities.

From flourishing culture, joy and diversity, to the struggle for equity and justice, Africa is a continent of contrast. In this episode of Charter4Health we explore the challenges to Health Defenders and the struggle for the right to health in the global south from an african perspective 
 

We, the undersigned, are calling for a stop to funding from Development Finance Institutions to private for-profit healthcare providers.

Mounting evidence shows that this funding is going to expensive out-of-reach private hospitals and clinics in low- and middle-income countries that are widening healthcare inequalities, exacerbating poverty and gender-based discrimination and violating human rights. Far from advancing progress towards Universal Health Coverage as governments have committed, this form of development finance is undermining it.

A discussion with Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, South African physician, health activist and UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health

Faced with the deadly prospect of a Rassemblement National government, we call on political parties and voters to take a democratic and republican leap forward!
The decisive second round of voting takes place at the end of the week. In a very large number of constituencies, there is a Rassemblement National candidate who could win on July 7 in the event of a three-way tie.
We call on the political parties to decide to maintain a single candidacy against the extreme right wherever it is in a position to win.

The People's Health Movement (PHM) Global stands in solidarity with the Tour de France pour la Santé in its crucial campaign to expose the devastating impacts a far-right victory would have on health in France. We commend the collective efforts of trade unions, health activists, and social movements rallying under this banner to protect the fundamental right to health for all.

This Report reflects the activities carried out by the global programs, thematic circles, regions, countries and, in general, the PHM activists during the year 2023 around the world in their struggles to contribute to achieving Health For All, a strategic objective set by the PHM since its constitution in 2000. 

*Amel International Association's Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) located in Arkoub and Khiam in southern Lebanon, identified and protected by international humanitarian law, have been targeted by artillery shelling. The situation remains very tense in the area and attacks continue.

In a statement released Wednesday, "Amel Association International strongly condemns the recent Israeli attacks on our Arqoub and Khyiam health and social development centers."

Statement in Solidarity with Palestinian Health Workers in Gaza and the West Bank

We the undersigned Civil Society Organizations and Coalitions, considering the ongoing genocide in Gaza for more than seven months, the people of Gaza are suffering from severe food shortages, a continuous decline in nutrition levels, widespread malnutrition among children, and increased mortality rates due to diseases caused by hunger and malnutrition, along with the difficulty of accessing medical and healthcare services.

Check out the PHM WHA77 Policy brief used at the Assembly to advocate PHM's position on

• The International Negotiating Body to draft and Negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparednes and response.
• Climate Change, Pollution and Health
• Economics and Health for All

WHO watchers write statements together with global health activists and read them out on the floor at the WHA77. 

PHM Statement on Health Conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ENGLISH

Each day of the WHA77, PHM WHO watchers develop a short overview highlighting key points of discussions and deliberations of the day.

By Dr. T. Sundararaman and David Legge

Every year in the last week of May, the representatives of 194 countries who are the Member States of World Health Organization (WHO) meet at Geneva in the World Health Assembly (WHA) to endorse a number of reports and adopt a number of resolutions. Considering the high prevalence of international meetings that amount to little more than discussions without subsequent action, it might be alluring to overlook the importance of the annual WHA. But that would be a mistake.

This May 2024 PHM gathers in Geneva to attend the WHO Watch, a PHM programme which closely follows the 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. The WHO watch is part of a process towards democratising global health governance. 

Keep track of the discussions, documents, commentaries and the agenda of the 77th World Health Assembly WHA77 on the PHM's WHO Tracker. 

This fortnight

In over seven months of continuous attacks on healthcare in Gaza, Israel has decimated Palestinian care capacities.

Statement by Gender Justice and Health Thematic Circle, People’s Health Movement (PHM)

As we commemorate International Workers' Day this week, the Gender Justice and Health Thematic Circle of the People’s Health Movement (PHM), reflects on how women’s work, particularly that of the most marginalized, racialized, gender non-binary people, and those living with disabilities, continues to be undervalued and invisibilized.

At the 5th People’s Health Assembly, international social movements came together to debate ways of guaranteeing health for all. It was an important moment to unite voices against inequalities, the privatization of knowledge and war.

by Gabriela Leite , OutraSaúde, special for PHM

 Health Denied, Palestine

This fortnight

More than 600 activists from 60 countries gathered in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from April 7 to 11 for the 5th People’s Health Assembly (PHA 5).

Follow the PHA5 news on our social media accounts, download and share our photos and video feed from the PHA5 in Mar del Plata at

PHM Global NEW flickr account

More than a format, they are a genre, even more, they are a universe. Comics constitute a narrative that entertains, builds emotional experiences and imaginaries of both fiction and non-fiction, with such a variety of forms and contents that they also inform, educate and communicate, reaching a wide spectrum of audiences.  

We salute the growing diverse group of women activists, who around the world defend life, the earth and human rights. Their struggle is our struggle. We march together for gender justice.
#InspireInclusion #8M #IWD2024
 

PHM is preparing to  watch the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA77) of the World Health Organisation. The Watch will last from the week before, so 19 May to 1 June. During the first week there will be a preparatory workshop, and during the second week Watchers will following the WHA proceedings. The WHA Watch is in-person only. English will be the working language of the Watch. 

The case of the Health Work Committees (HWC), West Bank, Palestine

 Founded in the 80s during the first Intifada, the Health Work Committees have played a crucial role providing health services to the Palestinians living in the West Bank, Palestine. Hundreds of thousands health services are provided every year, lots of them related with the brutal Israeli occupation. The last couple of years the Israeli repression against the Health Work Committees intensified. The headquarters of HWC, one of the most important health organizations in Palestine, were raided several times.

 Dr. Thaer Altallouli, Indonesian Hospital, Gaza

“I am a doctor at the Indonesian Hospital. On November 3, 2023, I was on a mission to transfer the injured from the hospital to the Rafah crossing near Egypt. We prepared 5 ambulances. Each ambulance was carrying 5 injured individuals due to the shortage of ambulance vehicles. We left around 1 pm from the front of the hospital, heading to the Al-Shifa Hospital. There we coordinated with the Red Cross to allow us to pass through Rashid Street by the sea.

Dr. Essam Fasl Aldawor, Indonesian Hospital, Gaza 

Dr. Essam Fasl Aldawor worked in the Intensive Care Unit at the Indonesian Hospital in the Northern part of Gaza City before it was destroyed and taken out of service by the Israeli occupation forces. “On Sunday, October 15, 2023, I was on duty at the Indonesian Hospital doing a 24-hour emergency shift. That day, at around 7pm the apartment of my parents was struck by two Israeli missiles. I don´t know what type of missiles were used, but they wiped out the entire apartment, it destroyed the staircase and the neighbor’s house.