Bulletin #123: Health workers to professional associations: resist pro-Israel pressure
This fortnight
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo shows no signs of slowing, having spread to six new zones during the second half of August. Health workers are mounting a response under critical conditions, but international organizations warn that severe funding shortages are adding to the challenges facing the public health campaign.
Globally, health professionals continue to face widespread censorship in academic settings when speaking out about the impact of Israel’s attacks on healthcare in Palestine, Lebanon, and elsewhere. Pro-Israel groups have played a prominent role in efforts to silence these critical voices, pushing physicians and health workers to urge professional associations to resist such pressures.
Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikan, is among the candidates vying to become the next leader of the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite the global attention, his reforms have drawn mixed reactions at home – where young doctors find themselves in a particularly precarious position.
In India, activists and public health experts are pushing for more affordable breast cancer care, warning that current morbidity and mortality rates amount to a public health crisis. Women’s health remains under threat from multiple factors worldwide, as World Breastfeeding Week 2026 unfolded against a backdrop in which thousands who wished to breastfeed were unable to do so due to failing support systems.
Short reads
Ebola spreads to 60 health zones in eastern DRC; UN warns of funding shortfall
The fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in history has killed 2,786 people in just over three months, as the humanitarian response is running out of funds.
Featured articles
Medical academia faces continued censorship of evidence-based discussions on Gaza and Lebanon
Health professionals face ongoing restrictions when presenting on Gaza and Lebanon in academic settings, with pro-Israel groups playing a significant role in promoting censorship.
Indonesia’s intern doctors are being pushed to the brink under health minister and WHO hopeful
A new generation of health workers in Indonesia is bearing the brunt of a healthcare system oriented towards financial efficiency and commercialization. One of the drivers of this policy today now vys for a position at WHO.
Health activists in India demand affordable breast cancer treatments
Activists and public health experts in India are pushing for affordable breast cancer care, warning that current morbidity and mortality rates constitute a public health crisis.
World Breastfeeding Week 2026: ‘Cost of not breastfeeding borne by families, health systems’
Despite well-known health benefits, millions globally still cannot breastfeed due to failing support systems: a shortfall that burdens families, health systems, and economies.
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Médecins Sans Frontières Access Campaign
David Nicholson
