Bulletin #35: Abortion is essential health care

This fortnight  

Thousands of people around the world joined protests in support of safe abortion on September 28. In some countries, for example in Colombia, the mobilization took place after the women's movement secured progress in the field of sexual and reproductive health rights. Protesters in the United States, on the other hand, marched in a situation where the right to abortion is under attack. We bring a snapshot of this year’s International Safe Abortion Day in our photo gallery.

Only hours after the demonstrations took place, the Supreme Court of India affirmed that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion. The ruling includes the recognition of marital rape, as well as an expanded interpretation of reproductive rights.

In Argentina, abortion was legalized almost two years ago thanks to a strong feminist movement. Pablo Rall, a family physician in Buenos Aires, reflects on the changes in access to abortion that health workers observed since 2020.

Health workers are key allies to women trying to access abortion care as much as to any other patient. In Belgium, workers in Medics for the People’s health centers act in true comradeship with the communities they care for. The People’s Health Dispatch spent a day with the staff of MPLP’s health center in Deurne, Antwerp, to learn more about their bond.

In Serbia, the situation is different. After years of disinvestment and a prolonged absence of sound health workforce policies, patients are struggling to access healthcare. During COVID-19, the shortage of workers meant that many key health services remained unavailable, particularly to the poor and the working class.

Listening through the social stethoscope: MPLP’s health workers redefine care in Belgium

Medics for the People’s health center in Deurne, Antwerp, provides health care to thousands of people who would otherwise face financial barriers to access

Shortage of health workers in Serbia is a risk for both patients and system

Problems predating the COVID-19 pandemic weigh on the health system in Serbia, putting into doubt the capacities to address new health needs generated over the past two and a half years

India’s Supreme Court advances abortion rights in major ruling

The apex court declared that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion up to 24 weeks. It also other made critical interventions including the recognition of marital rape and the centrality of dignity and autonomy when it comes to abortion access

Video: How has legalization affected access to abortion in Argentina?

Ana Vračar of the People's Health Movement talks to Pablo Rall, a family physician from Buenos Aires, on the state of access to abortion in Argentina close to two years after it was legalized in the country

                       International Safe Abortion Day

Lebanon records first case of cholera since 1993

The recorded case comes as neighbouring war-torn Syria is struggling to contain an outbreak of the waterborne disease.

Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

Sudan Ebola Virus: What Do We Know? | NewsClick

The world is grappling with outbreaks of COVID, monkeypox and now a new strain of Ebola. All three of these viruses present with similar early symptoms. Here’s what we know so far about how they differ.

Newsclick<a href=”/taxonomy/term/90747″ hreflang=“en”>Kaukab Shairani</a>

Why Nurses at This LGBTQ-Affirming Healthcare Provider Are Planning to Strike

Workers at Howard Brown Health in Chicago are set to walk out next week after months of stalled negotiations.

In These Times

Health Workers in the Tuzla Canton went on a General Strike - Sarajevo Times

Health workers in the Tuzla Canton, about 5,000 of them, went on a general strike this morning. After a series of half-hour warning strikes, health workers decided to go on a general strike because their demand for an hourly wage increase of 30 pfennigs was not accepted by the Government of Tuzla Ca…

Sarajevo Timesadmin

Privatisation of district hospitals: Wheels set in motion in 5 states

At least five states have responded to a call by Niti Aayog to hand over district hospitals to private companies, which will get support to set up attached medical colleges.

MoneycontrolSumi Sukanya Dutta

Morphine shortages leave patients in pain

South Africa has only one public sector supplier of resized packages of morphine powder and the company’s failure to deliver since July has left some patients in unspeakable agony. Ufrieda Ho reports.

SpotlightUfrieda Ho