People's Health Dispatch

Bulletin #42: More health workers join fight for social justice

People's Health Dispatch -

This fortnight  

Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform plans caused mass protests all over France, with health workers and collectives joining the mobilizations. The reform would deepen existing health inequalities between workers in different sectors, as well as women and men in the workplace, warned the collectives.

In New York City, nurses achieved important breakthroughs by striking at the beginning of January. They are now looking to expand action in public sector hospitals. Primary health care doctors in Madrid re-launched the strike initiated in November as they struggle to engage the regional government in more substantial negotiations.

Doctors in Kenya are preparing for a possible strike over the government’s disregard of the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2016. We met with Dr Mercy Nabwire from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union to learn more about their grievances and working conditions.

Dr Şebnem Korur Fincancı, President of the Turkish Medical Association, was found guilty of “spreading terrorist propaganda” after spending more than two months in prison. International medical associations have condemned the court’s decision. They have also warned against the attempt of the Erdoğan administration to discredit the Turkish Medical Association.

In the first two episodes of the Global Health Watch podcast, Ronald Labonté talks about the global political and economic architecture, including its role in shaping health determinants. Amulya Nidhi addresses the relation between the impact of extractivism on the health of communities and their land.

In Data speaks, we look at changes in the number of abortions provided in different parts of the US after the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Doctors in Kenya get ready to strike after six years of broken promises

Doctors in Kenya prepare for possible industrial action as the 2016 Collective Bargaining Agreement remains unfulfilled despite multiple court warnings to the government

Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform is a health hazard

Workers from all sectors in France held a day of mobilizations against President Macron’s proposal of a pension reform on January 19. Health collectives are joining the initiative

Following wins in the private sector, NYC nurses shift fight to public sector hospitals

After over 7,000 NYC nurses went on strike and won historic agreements with private hospitals, nurses serving the poorest patients begin their fight

Video: New York nurses win historic gains from strike

Nurses from Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospitals of New York who went on strike starting Monday, January 9 won a historic victory

Short reads

Workers continue to protest in defense of public health in Madrid

Health workers and patients converge in mass protests as Madrid’s conservative regional government refuses to prioritize the public health system

Turkish Medical Association Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı declared guilty but released from jail

Dr Şebnem Korur Fincancı was found guilty of “spreading terrorist propaganda” and sentenced to almost three years of jail, while other Central Committee members of the Turkish Medical Association still face charges in court

Global Health Watch podcast

From pre-pandemic pathologies to post-pandemic hopefulness

Ronald Labonté explores the global political and economic architecture and its structural role in shaping health determinants worldwide

Development model, extractivism, and environment: knitting resistances globally

Amulya Nidhi speaks about the context and relation between the development model, extractivism and its impact on communities, their territories, and their health

Data speaks

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