Bulletin #111: People's Health Movement turns 25
This fortnight
In December 2000, the People’s Health Movement (PHM) was founded in Savar, Bangladesh. Twenty-five years later, the movement continues to advance the vision of Health for All, honoring its legacy while inspiring a new generation of health activists. During an event marking this milestone, PHM members reflected on victories from the past quarter-century and mapped out future strategies rooted in struggles for peace, climate justice, and health sovereignty.
Recent health agreements brokered between the US government and several African countries have raised serious concerns about the future of healthcare and equitable international cooperation in the region. These deals promote a vision of health systems in Africa that departs sharply from Global South initiatives built in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to fair data and information sharing.
The British government has also signed a health deal with the Trump administration: one that advances Big Pharma interests at the expense of patients’ rights and public health. At the same time, the UK is facing one of its most significant protests in decades: a hunger strike – deemed the largest since the 1981 Irish prisoners’ hunger strike – by Palestine solidarity activists. Many of the activists have been held without trial for over a year, and are demanding due process and an end to British complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Meanwhile, resident doctors in England are on strike too, calling for pay restoration and more jobs in the NHS. While the Starmer government attempts to discredit their demands, health advocates and progressive groups continue to push for stronger public health systems, including fairer and more sustainable health workforce policies.
The next issue of People's Health Dispatch will be published in the week of January 12, 2026.
Featured articles
People’s Health Movement at 25: the struggle for Health for All continues
The People’s Health Movement is celebrating its 25th anniversary, reaffirming its vision of Health for All and inspiring a new generation of activists.
America First Global Health Strategy: a framework for co-opting healthcare in Africa?
The US has announced a series of bilateral health agreements with African countries, sparking concern over pathogen access, benefit sharing, and health sovereignty.
US–UK pharma deal sacrifices patients for profit
Access to medicines activists warn the new US–UK pharma deal will have catastrophic impacts, including thousands of preventable deaths each year.
Is the Labour government willing to let Palestine activists on hunger strike die?
Palestine solidarity prisoners in Britain have entered a critical phase of their hunger strike, as the Labour government refuses to address health and civil rights concerns.
Doctors in England strike for jobs and pay
Resident doctors in England are on strike again, demanding fair pay and NHS jobs.
Corporate capture undermines progress at COP30
COP30 was met with considerable criticism, including for its failure to meaningfully address the dangers the climate crisis poses to health.
In case you missed it
Science and Society
Jyotsna Singh
Laurent Gaberell