Bulletin #117: World Health Day 2026: amid war on health, internationalism and solidarity offer path forward
This fortnight
Another World Health Day was marked by attacks on health infrastructure and workers. Jan Swasthya Abhiyan and the People's Health Movement marked the day by reflecting on the impacts of ongoing wars on health worldwide, bringing reports from Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, as well as reflections on healthcare in Cuba.
Only days before, the United States and Israel conducted attacks on Iran that inflicted serious damage on the country's Pasteur Institute, a public health institution that has played an important role in immunization drives and outbreak control across the region for more than 100 years.
In contrast to how the US and its allies are treating health today, the anniversary of Cuba's health program for children survivors of the Chernobyl disaster illustrated a radically different concept of health internationalism.
And while health services in the West, including the European Union and Britain, are struggling under the consequences of decades of austerity and cuts, initiatives in the Global South – in this case Mexico and India's Kolkata – give hope that Cuba's understanding of the right to health could take root elsewhere.
In focus: fighting for health is fighting for peace
Fighting for healthcare means fighting against war, activists declare
Solidarity with health systems under attack requires reconnecting with anti-imperialist, anti-colonial struggle legacy, activists warned on World Health Day.
US-Israeli attacks on Iran’s health infrastructure threaten decades of public health advancements
Attacks on the century-old Pasteur Institute target decades of Iran’s public health breakthroughs, echoing healthcare destruction pattern seen in Palestine and Lebanon.
Video
Affordable dialysis: a model from Kolkata
In another episode of Access Denied, Dr. Fuad Halim speaks about an initiative in Kolkata that is providing accessible dialysis by cutting unnecessary overhead costs, focusing on essential medical care, and relying on community support.
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Mexico moves toward a universal health system
The project was conceived during the López Obrador administration (2018–2024) and will now be implemented by Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration. The goal is for every Mexican to have access to care at the various federal healthcare centers.
On World Health Day, public service unions sound alarm over EU-wide health emergency
This World Health Day, public services unions in Europe sounded the alarm over a health emergency caused by austerity, privatization, and lacking workforce policies.
Doctors’ strike in England to proceed despite government’s repressive strategy
Resident doctors in England are expected to strike April 7-13, demanding pay restoration, more jobs, and other steps to address NHS crisis.
Gallery: Cuba and the children of Chernobyl
Source: Peoples Dispatch / People's History (@peoplesdispatch)
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Julia Kollewe
